parting

1 of 3

noun

part·​ing ˈpär-tiŋ 

: a place or point where a division or separation occurs

see also:

parting of the ways

parting

2 of 3

adjective

: given, taken, or done at parting

a parting kiss

parting

3 of 3

present participle of part entry 2

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

As his parting words, Reeger tells Kirk that the ship’s next victims’ blood will be on his hands. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

The lack of acknowledgment spoke volumes about how the club felt about parting ways with Andonovski. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2026

Bunch did not reference the ongoing attacks from the White House in his parting statement. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

His carefully coiffed side parting is as immaculate as his smile, something that distinguishes him from the rest of his party, whose members tend to grimace rather than grin. — Esme Nicholson, NPR, 6 Sep. 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