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
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Unlike other thin, fragile flats that offer little wear before falling apart, these are reinforced with Vionic’s trademark cushioning, a removable insert, and premium upper materials.
—Kayla Blanton, People.com, 9 July 2025
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
People are going around scavenging from construction sites and breaking apart wood pallets from ships that deliver food.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apart
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Adverb
Published in June 2024 by Erewhon Books, the novel is a described as a story about a family falling apart as well as the making of a female serial killer from a Korean-American perspective.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
Unlike other thin, fragile flats that offer little wear before falling apart, these are reinforced with Vionic’s trademark cushioning, a removable insert, and premium upper materials.
—Kayla Blanton, People.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
Pour out a bit of suede cleaning liquid (or an acid like white vinegar) onto a dry cloth, rubbing it into the shoe’s upper to lightly dampen the affected suede and break apart particle clumps.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
People are going around scavenging from construction sites and breaking apart wood pallets from ships that deliver food.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 10 Apr. 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 15 Jul. 2025.
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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