parting

noun part·ing \ ˈpär-tiŋ \

Definition of parting

:a place or point where a division or separation occurs

— parting of the ways

1 :a point of separation or divergence

2 :a place or time at which a choice must be made

See parting defined for English-language learners

See parting defined for kids

Examples of parting in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of parting from the Web

So Taurasi orchestrated the parting of the Western Conference's defense on the side of the floor Jones preferred.

— john altavilla, courant.com, "Jones Turns Heads With All-Star Dunk; Sun Ready For Part II Of WNBA Season," 24 July 2017
Mylee's sister took the above pictures of their tearful parting, which have since gone mega-viral.

— tess koman, Cosmopolitan, "Oh My God, This 9-Year-Old Saying Goodbye to Her Boyfriend Who Is Moving Away Is So Freaking Sad," 29 June 2017
In my opinion, Kenny and Rachel have one of the most mature, admirable breakups in all of Bachelor history — truly a mutual parting of ways.

— ashley iaconetti, Cosmopolitan, "Bachelorette Recap: A Very Viking Bloodbath (And Good Riddance To You Too, Lee!)," 28 June 2017
Junior’s puppies The NASCAR Nation is famous — and sometimes notorious — for giving their stars unique parting gifts.

— george diaz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Kyle Busch rolls into Daytona as grumpy Cup title contender," 27 June 2017
By then Trump appeared to be ready, and welcomed the parting gesture by patting Modi kindly on the back.

— katy daigle, The Seattle Times, "Modi meets Trump with his usual greeting — bear hugs," 27 June 2017
By then Trump appeared to be ready, and welcomed the parting gesture by patting Modi kindly on the back.

— Washington Post, "Modi meets Trump with his usual greeting — bear hugs," 27 June 2017
As if presaging the coming showdown over Trump’s travel ban, which the Supreme Court could agree to hear any moment, Breyer issued a parting shot that seems aimed at keeping his colleagues on alert about what’s to come.

— cristian farias, Daily Intelligencer, "How a Shorthanded Supreme Court Gutted a Historic Civil Rights Remedy," 21 June 2017
Gehman told us that the roses became a customary parting gift at the Atmore location, and continues on in the decade since the FIRE brand has been around in Alabama.

— jared boyd, AL.com, "Alabama's Best Steakhouses: FIRE Steakhouse in Wetumpka," 18 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of parting

15th century

parting Synonyms

Synonyms

farewell, leave-taking, separation

Antonyms

advent, appearance, arrival

Related Words

departure, egress, exit, exiting, exodus, going, leaving, quitting, running away; decamping, decampment, flight, withdrawal; abandonment, desertion, forsaking

Near Antonyms

reunion; arrival, greeting, salutation, welcome; gathering, joining, meeting

parting

adjective

Definition of parting

:given, taken, or done at parting

a parting kiss

See parting defined for English-language learners

Examples of parting in a Sentence

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.