: a place or point where a division or separation occurs
see also:
: given, taken, or done at parting
a parting kiss
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.
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
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
The front portions were separated in hair and rolled in a horizontal direction toward the center parting.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Mar. 2026
The parting of one's hair has sparked a generational debate online.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
The parting of ways was a mutual and amicable one.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parting
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Noun
An extension never really made sense and, as Ricken says, a parting is logical.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
The front portions were separated in hair and rolled in a horizontal direction toward the center parting.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 6 Mar. 2026
The parting of one's hair has sparked a generational debate online.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
The parting of ways was a mutual and amicable one.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parting
Cite this Entry
“Parting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parting. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parting
1 of 2 noun
part·ing
ˈpärt-iŋ 
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 adjective1
: being in the process of departing
2
: serving to divide : separating
3
: given, taken, or performed at parting
a parting kiss
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