Standard Lemma guide

sectionalize

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To divide into sections.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • 1886-90, John G. Nicolay and John Hay, Abraham Lincoln: A History On the whole, the principal results of the struggle were, to sectionalize parties more completely, ripen Southern sentiment towards secession, and combine wavering voters in the free-States in support of Republican doctrines.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

divide into sections, especially into geographic sections

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • sectionalize a country

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sectionalise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: divide, split, split up, separate, dissever, carve up

History

Etymology

From sectional + -ize.