Nonsectarian means not connected to or favoring any particular religious group or denomination. A nonsectarian school welcomes students from all religions (or no religion) without promoting one faith over another. A nonsectarian hospital treats patients equally regardless of their beliefs.

Many public institutions in America are nonsectarian by design: public schools, libraries, and government buildings serve everyone in the community, regardless of what they believe about religion.

You might encounter this word when reading about schools, charities, or organizations. A nonsectarian charity helps people based on their needs, not their faith. Some private schools describe themselves as nonsectarian to clarify that while they might teach about various religions, they don't require students to practice any particular one.

The opposite would be a sectarian institution, which is affiliated with a specific religious tradition. For example, a Catholic school is sectarian (connected to Catholicism), while a nonsectarian private school has no religious affiliation. Both types of schools can be excellent, but they serve different purposes and communities.