parting

1 of 2

noun

part·​ing ˈpär-tiŋ 

: a place or point where a division or separation occurs

see also:

parting of the ways

parting

2 of 2

adjective

: given, taken, or done at parting

a parting kiss

Synonyms of parting

Noun

• farewell
• departure

Adjective

• farewell

Examples of parting in a Sentence

Noun

I feared the morning, for I knew that our parting would be difficult.

On parting, he took my hand and promised to return.

“Good-night, good-night! Parting is such sweet sorrow…”

—Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

the parting of the Red Sea

Adjective

His parting words to me were “Be patient.”

As her parting shot, she said that the other candidate simply did not understand the needs of the city's citizens.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Aniston and Witherspoon, who executive-produce and star as anchors on the show, took to social media to share some parting words for the bittersweet news. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Foremost, Riley said any animus with James over James’ 2014 Heat parting is in the past tense. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

The one Greek who remains, Sinon (Elliot Page), explains to the Trojan soldiers that the horse is a parting gift to the gods from his army, who seem to have given up on their years-long siege of the city. — David MacK, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Mayrlife gave me a grinder of pink mineral salt as a parting gift and a packed lunch of rice cakes and goat cheese for the ride back to Vienna. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1562, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing parting

• parting of the ways
• parting shot
• took a parting shot
• water parting

Rhymes for parting

• carting
• charting
• darting
• smarting
• starting
• departing
• imparting
• restarting

Kids Definition

parting

1 of 2 noun

part·​ing ˈpärt-iŋ 

1

: separation sense 1, division

2

: a place where a division or separation occurs

a parting of the ways

3

: leave-taking

shake hands at parting

parting

2 of 2 adjective

1

: being in the process of departing

2

: serving to divide : separating

3

: given, taken, or performed at parting

a parting kiss