Section (Government Survey)

Definition: A section is a principal subdivision of a survey township, nominally one square mile or 640 acres.

Example

One quarter of a standard 640-acre section contains 160 acres.

Keep the distinction clear

Actual sections may be fractional or irregular. Use stated acreage when a question supplies it rather than assuming every section contains exactly 640 acres.

Related terms

Acre · Township (Government Survey) · Government Survey System

Keep studying

Government Survey: Township, Range, Sections, and Acreage

References: BLM: surveying and mapping glossary

Pronunciation (US): SEK-shuhn (capitals show stress)

Pronunciation reference: Merriam-Webster