segment

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsɛgm(ə)nt/

noun

  • 1each of the parts into which something is or may be divided: a large segment of the local population orange segments the market for private cars can be broken down into several segments
  • a portion of time allocated to a particular broadcast item on radio or television: they probably want to tape you for the eleven o’clock segment
  • a separate broadcast item, typically one of a number that make up a particular programme: Hammond and the others were filming a segment for his programme
  • 2 Geometry a part of a figure cut off by a line or plane intersecting it, in particular:
  • the part of a circle enclosed between an arc and a chord.
  • the part of a line included between two points.
  • the part of a sphere cut off by any plane not passing through the centre.
  • 3 Zoology each of the series of similar anatomical units of which the body and appendages of some animals are composed, such as the visible rings of an earthworm’s body.
  • 4 Phonetics the smallest distinct part of a spoken utterance, especially with regard to vowel and consonant sounds rather than stress or intonation.

verb

Pronunciation: /usually sɛgˈmɛnt/
[with object]
  • divide (something) into separate parts or sections: the unemployed are segmented into two groups
  • [no object] divide into separate parts or sections: the market is beginning to segment into a number of well-defined categories
  • [no object] Embryology (of a cell) undergo cleavage; divide into many cells.

Derivatives

segmentary

adjective

segmentation

Pronunciation: /-ˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

Origin:

late 16th century (as a term in geometry): from Latin segmentum, from secare 'to cut'. The verb dates from the mid 19th century