What is sector? Pronunciation and usage in English

sector means . Learn how to pronounce and use sector through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of sector

sectornoun

/ˈsɛktə/
Definition & pronunciation of sector

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sector." It's a tricky one for English speakers! Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. The Most Common & Accepted Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈsɛktər (This is the most frequent pronunciation you’ll hear in the US.)
    • ˈsek-tər – Emphasis is on the first syllable ("sek").
    • "sek" – Sounds like "sick" but with a short "i" sound.
    • "tər" – Sounds like "ter" (as in "better"). It's a relatively unstressed syllable.

2. British English Pronunciation:

  • ˈsɛktər (Very similar to the American pronunciation, but with a slightly different vowel sound.)
    • ˈsek-tər – Same syllable emphasis.
    • "sek" – The "e" is pronounced more like a short "e" (as in "bed"). It's not as rounded as the American pronunciation.
    • "tər" – The "r" is often slightly more pronounced than in American English, and the "t" may be slightly softer.

3. Key Differences & Tips:

  • The “e” sound: This is the biggest difference. Americans tend to round their lips more when saying "sek," creating a slightly deeper "e" sound. Brits tend to keep their lips more relaxed.
  • The "r" sound: Both pronunciations include an "r," but the placement of the tongue is a little different. In British English, it's more of a retroflex "r" (the tongue curls back slightly). In American English, it's a more standard alveolar "r."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

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  • Where are you learning English? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) Knowing your location helps me narrow down the most likely pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word sector in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sector" in English. It has several different meanings, depending on the context. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. As a Part of a Larger System (Most Common)

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent usage. It refers to a division or section of a whole. Think of it like a slice or segment.
  • Examples:
    • "The automotive sector is struggling with supply chain issues." (The automotive industry is a separate part of the broader economy.)
    • "The technology sector has seen significant growth this year." (Technology companies are a segment of the market.)
    • "Healthcare is a vital sector for any country’s economy." (Healthcare represents a specific area within the economy.)
    • "The renewable energy sector is rapidly expanding.” (Renewable energy companies form a section of the energy market.)

2. In Astronomy

  • Meaning: A region of space that has a relatively uniform distribution of stars.
  • Examples:
    • "The Milky Way galaxy is divided into several sectors."
    • “Astronomers are studying the Sagittarius sector to look for new planets.”

3. In Defense/Military

  • Meaning: A specialized branch or division of a military organization.
  • Examples:
    • “The Naval Sector is responsible for patrolling the coast.”
    • “The Intelligence Sector works to gather and analyze information.”

4. In Finance – Investment/Stock Market

  • Meaning: A group of companies that operate in a similar industry. This is a common usage, particularly when talking about investments.
  • Examples:
    • "Investors are diversifying their portfolios across different sectors, such as technology and healthcare."
    • “The fund focuses on growth stocks in the consumer sectors."
    • “Analyzing performance by sector helps investors understand overall market trends.”

5. Geography (Less Common)

  • Meaning: A part of a city or region, often a specific area with a distinct character.
  • Examples:
    • "The entertainment sector of town is known for its vibrant nightlife."

Key Considerations & How to Use it Effectively:

  • Context is Crucial: Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall topic to determine which meaning is intended.
  • Prepositions: "In the sector" and "of the sector" are common phrases. "Within the sector" also works.
  • Alternatives: Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like segment, division, area, or part.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What kind of context are you trying to use "sector" in? (e.g., finance, science, general conversation?)

Synonyms for the word sector

Practice with vocabulary sector

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The technology ________ has seen rapid growth over the past decade, attracting significant investment from venture capitalists.
  2. The company decided to target a younger demographic as their primary market ________, introducing new products tailored to their preferences.
  3. Experts predict a significant shift in consumer behavior, particularly affecting the retail ________ due to the rise of e-commerce.
  4. Dr. Anya Sharma specializes in the ________ of artificial intelligence ethics, focusing on its societal impact.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which term(s) can refer to a major part of an economy or a specific field of activity, such as "the public ________"? A) branch B) sector C) domain D) department

  2. Which words can describe a distinct part or portion of something larger, like "a ________ of the population"? A) sector B) segment C) element D) division

  3. In a business context, which word refers to a specific area of economic activity, such as "the financial ________"? A) department B) field C) sector D) unit

  4. Which term is typically used for a functional unit within an organization, like "the marketing ________"? A) sector B) area C) department D) realm

  5. Which of these terms describes a general group of businesses that produce similar goods or services? A) sector B) industry C) niche D) branch

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government is focusing its efforts on improving public services. (Rewrite using "sector")
  2. Many companies are now investing in green technologies, which is a growing area of business. (Rewrite using "sector")
  3. Our team handles all inquiries related to customer support. (Rewrite without using "sector")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. sector
  2. segment
  3. sector
  4. area

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) sector, C) domain
  2. A) sector, B) segment, D) division
  3. C) sector
  4. C) department
  5. B) industry

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government is focusing its efforts on improving the public sector.
  2. Many companies are now investing in green technologies, which is a growing business sector.
  3. Our department handles all inquiries related to customer support.

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