1
a
: at a little distance
tried to keep apart from the family squabbles
b
: away from one another in space or time
towns 20 miles apart
2
a
: as a separate unit : independently
Viewed apart, his arguments were unsound.
b
: so as to separate one from another
I found it hard to tell the twins apart.
3
: excluded from consideration : aside
A few blemishes apart, the novel is excellent.
4
: in or into two or more parts : to pieces
coming apart at the seams
see also take apart
Examples of apart in a Sentence
Adverb
He stood with his feet planted far apart.
He stood apart while the other members of the team celebrated.
Their children were born two years apart.
My wife and I are unhappy when we're apart.
They separated and have been living apart for the past year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
The two women are decades apart in age, yet their connection feels seamless.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
In recent years, my sisters and I will take turns trying a new appetizer like Buffalo chicken dip or a pull-apart cheese bread.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apart
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Adverb
Their study suggests that slow, orderly streams of cool gas already inside the galaxy—or delivered by interactions with nearby galaxies—may be quietly feeding central black holes, allowing those black holes to gently shut down star formation without blowing the galaxy apart.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
The two women are decades apart in age, yet their connection feels seamless.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Pull-apart rolls are great as a party appetizer, for a potluck, or even as a meal with a soup or side salad.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
In recent years, my sisters and I will take turns trying a new appetizer like Buffalo chicken dip or a pull-apart cheese bread.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apart
Cite this Entry
“Apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apart. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apart
1 of 2 adverb1
: away from each other
five miles apart
2
: as something separate
viewed apart from the other
3
: in or into two or more parts
took the clock apart
4
: one from another
can't tell the twins apart
apart
2 of 2 adjective
: separate from others
in a place apart
apartness
noun
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