A sect is a group of people who share specific religious or philosophical beliefs that set them apart from larger, more established groups. The word often describes a smaller group that has broken away from a mainstream religion because its members interpret teachings differently or follow stricter practices.

Throughout history, religious sects have formed when people felt the main church or temple wasn't following the faith correctly. For example, the Puritans were considered a sect when they separated from the Church of England in the 1600s because they wanted simpler, more direct worship. The Amish are a sect of Christianity known for living simply and avoiding many modern technologies.

The word sect is neutral in meaning, simply describing a distinct group, but it sometimes carries a hint of criticism. When people say something dismissively like “that's just a small sect,” they might be suggesting the group is extreme or unimportant. But many groups that started as small sects grew into major religions. Early Christians were considered a sect within Judaism before Christianity became a world religion.

A related word, sectarian, describes conflicts between different sects, like sectarian violence between religious groups.