Definition of part
1a (1) : one of the often indefinite or unequal subdivisions into which something is or is regarded as divided and which together constitute the whole … the road was passable only part of the year … — Samuel Johnson (2) : an essential portion or integral element Change is an inevitable part of life.b : one of several or many equal units of which something is composed or into which it is divisible : an amount equal to another amount mix one part of the powder with three parts of waterc (1) : an exact divisor of a quantity : aliquot (2) : partial fractiond : one of the constituent elements of a plant or animal body: such as (1) : organ, member The stomach is part of the digestive system. (2) parts plural : private partse : a division of a literary work a novel in four partsf (1) : a vocal or instrumental line or melody in concerted music or in harmony (2) : a particular voice or instrument in concerted music; also : the score for it the violin partg : a constituent member of a machine or other apparatus the parts of an airplane; also : a spare part automobile parts
2 : something falling to one in a division or apportionment : share wanted no part of the proposal
3 : one's share or allotted task (as in an action) : duty one must do one's part
4 : one of the opposing sides in a conflict or dispute he that is not against us is on our part — Mark 9:40 (King James Version)
5 : a general area of indefinite boundaries —usually used in plural you're not from around these parts took off for parts unknown
6 : a function or course of action performed objected to the government's part in the strike
7a : an actor's lines in a play The actress learned her part well.b : the role of a character in a play played the part of the villain
8 : a constituent of character or capacity : talent a man of many parts
for one's part
for the most part
in part
on one's part
oron the part of one
From the M-W Editors
Examples of part in a Sentence
The entire book is good, but the best part is the ending.
I don't remember him saying that. I must have missed that part.
The mechanic had to order the part from the manufacturer.
The parts of a radio include the speaker, dials, and antenna.
Do you have any spare parts for this model of car?
the moving parts of the machine
parts of the human body
My favorite part of the chicken is the drumstick.
a diagram labeling the different parts of the flower
Come join us and be part of a winning team.
Recent Examples of part from the Web
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As part of that, small lenders had to give up the process of servicing mortgages, which meant losing an income stream.
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This week, the opposition pledged to form a transitional government as part of its effort to force new elections.
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Norberto Galiotti, the cigar-smoking secretary of Rosario’s Communist Party, regards the foundation’s campaign as a part of a pernicious effort to erase Che from history, led by the country’s centre-right president, Mauricio Macri.
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Isn’t this part of the appeal of consuming art by young people?
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The panel has been investigating one of the participants at the Trump Jr. meeting, Russian-American lobbyist and former Soviet military officer Rinat Akhmetshin, as part of its probe into the law.
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Join the Young At Art Museum from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at D.C. Alexander Park on Fort Lauderdale Beach to take part in a collective art-making experience.
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A series of studies suggests that this joblessness might have been—at least in part—contributing to the high rates of drug addiction.
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The essay is available online as part of The New School History Project, a site where students curate a trove of recovered archival material to provoke critical and informed discussion.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'part.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of part
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Old English, both from Latin part-, pars; perhaps akin to Latin parare to prepare — more at pare
Synonym Discussion of part
part
Definition of part
intransitive verb
1a : to separate from or take leave of someoneb : to take leave of one another
2 : to become separated into parts
4 : to become separated, detached, or broken
5 : to relinquish possession or control hated to part with that money
transitive verb
1a : to divide into partsb : to separate by combing on each side of a linec : to break or suffer the breaking of (something, such as a rope or anchor chain)
2 : to divide into shares and distribute : apportion
3a : to remove from contact or association if aught but death part thee and me — Ruth 1:17 (King James Version)b : to keep separate the narrow channel that parts England from Francec : to hold (people, such as brawlers) apartd : to separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion
part company
Examples of part in a Sentence
The crowd parted to let the president through.
The rain stopped and the clouds parted.
The big red curtains parted to reveal a new car!
The Bible tells the story of how God parted the Red Sea.
She closed her eyes and parted her lips.
She parts her hair on the side.
His dark hair was parted down the middle.
The two lovers parted at dawn.
Tomorrow we shall part and, I fear, never see each other again.
She couldn't bear the thought of parting from her family.
Recent Examples of part from the Web
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The passage in question was from the fourth volume of his Zohar, a commentary on Exodus 14, in which God parts the Red Sea for the Jews fleeing Egypt.
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Falcon Heights began plans to part ways with the St. Anthony Police Department after the July 6 police shooting death of Philando Castile by St. Anthony officer Jeronimo Yanez.
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The video screen showed him dressed in a white and black striped inmate jumpsuit, his hair neatly parted.
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Woodward parted with cautionary words for the underclassmen who'll return next season for Hebron.
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Six years after ESPN parted ways with Hank Williams Jr., the country rocker is back for Monday Night Football.
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The network parted ways with its No. 1 star after it was revealed in early April that payments totaling approximately $13 million had been paid out by O'Reilly and the company in order to settle claims.
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Over the past year, the company has jettisoned several long-term innovation projects to focus on its core business, and parted ways with its chief innovation and strategy officer and its chief digital officer.
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Over a five year period just in the state of Maryland, families of people who were accused of crimes and went on to be cleared of any wrongdoing parted with around $75 million in non-refundable bail-bond payments, according to the report.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'part.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of part
Middle English, from Anglo-French partir, from Latin partire to divide, from part-, pars
Synonym Discussion of part
Examples of part in a Sentence
The story is part science and part fiction.
The Chimera is a monster in Greek mythology that is part lion, part goat, and part serpent.
First Known Use of part
15th century
Examples of part in a Sentence
The claim is a part truth—there is more to the story than they are telling you.
Recent Examples of part from the Web
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Now part way through his four-year term as mayor, Ganim is one of several Democrats and Republicans looking at running for governor in the wake of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's decision not to seek reelection.
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Part fact-checking site, part traditional newsroom, the project — called Wikitribune — was inspired by the effect of misinformation on the U.S. presidential election.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'part.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of part
15th century
PART Defined for English Language Learners
part
playDefinition of part for English Language Learners
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: one of the pieces, sections, qualities, etc., that make or form something
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: one of the pieces that are put together to form a machine
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: one of the pieces or areas of the body of a plant or animal
part
Definition of part for English Language Learners
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: somewhat but not completely : to some extent or in some degree
part
Definition of part for English Language Learners
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: not complete or total
PART Defined for Kids
Definition of part for Students
1 : one of the sections into which something is divided This is the best part of the movie. That wasn't part of our agreement.
2 : some of something My dog is part husky. I spent part of my day reading.
3 : a general area She moved to another part of the state.
4 : a piece of a machine
5 : one of the sides or aspects The best part of camp is making new friends.
6 : the role of a character in a play
7 : a line along which the hair is divided
8 : a person's share or duty I did my part for the team.
for the most part
Word Root of part
The Latin word pars, meaning “part,” and its form partis give us the root part. Words from the Latin pars have something to do with a part, section, or portion. To participate is to take part in some activity. Anything partial involves only part of something. A particle is a tiny bit or portion of something. It is easy to see that part itself also comes directly from pars in both form and meaning.
Definition of part for Students
parted
;parting
1 : to leave each other They parted at the intersection.
2 : to separate the hair by combing on each side of a line
3 : to give up possession of She won't part with her money.
4 : to hold apart He parted the curtains.
5 : to come apart The crowd parted to let us through.
6 : to divide into parts
Medical Dictionary
part
playMedical Definition of part
1: one of several or many like units into which something is divided or of which it is composed : a proportional division or ingredient mix the powder with three parts of water
2: a portion of an animal body: asa: an essential anatomical element : organ, member the chief parts of the digestive system are the esophagus, stomach, intestine, and associated glandsb: an indefinite area or one lacking or not considered in respect to a natural boundary bathe the affected part with warm water
Learn More about part
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See words that rhyme with part Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for part Spanish Central: Translation of part Nglish: Translation of part for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of part for Arabic speakers
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