par·ti·tion
pär-ˈti-shən 
pər-
1
2
: something that divides
especially
: an interior dividing wall
The bank teller sat behind a glass partition.
3
: one of the parts or sections of a whole
The estate was divided into three partitions.
partitioned; partitioning; partitions
1
a
: to divide into parts or shares
b
: to divide (a place, such as a country) into two or more territorial units having separate political status
2
: to separate or divide by a partition (such as a wall)
—often used with off
Examples of partition in a Sentence
Noun
A thin partition separates the two rooms in the cabin.
Folding partitions separate the different banquet halls in the building.
The bank teller sat behind a glass partition.
the partition of former Yugoslavia
the partition of Korea into North and South Korea
Verb
It was necessary to partition the work to be done to make the job easier to accomplish.
The room is partitioned into four sections.
After the war, the country was partitioned.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023
Its leader, Mahmoud Abbas, could have been—and could still be, despite his weaknesses—a partner committed to peaceful partition.
FROM WAR TO PEACE
The destruction of Hamas’s armed forces will create a political vacuum in Gaza.
—Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2023
At thousands of branch offices around the country, workers tore down the iron bars and glass partitions that utilities had inherited from bank designs, and replaced these barricaded offices with new open and inviting layouts.
—TIME, 24 Oct. 2023
Creating nooks with partition walls can help give each spot a purpose and create a pleasant flow in your space.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2023
The show also includes a display of works on paper and related material in an octagonal space defined by partition walls.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2023
Israel declares independence After World War II, nearing the end of the British Mandate for Palestine, the United Nations General Assembly in 1947 passes Resolution 181, urging the partition of the land into two independent states — one Arab and one Jewish.
—Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023
The Khalistan separatist movement, which dates in earnest to before the partition of India at the end of British colonial rule in 1947, reached a bloody climax in the 1980s.
—Mujib Mashal, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Dozens of temples and mosques were targeted in a series of revenge attacks after the mosque was destroyed, prompting outbursts of sectarian violence – some of the worst since India’s hasty and bloody partition following the exit of its British colonial rulers in 1947.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
Richard Gowan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2023
Despite the claim, Israeli leaders have not talked about partitioning Gaza or maintaining control over the territory, which its forces vacated in 2005.
—Andrés R. Martínez, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2023
The northeastern state of Manipur, where its top leader has employed the BJP’s majoritarian playbook, has been burning in ethnic conflict for months, with about 200 people killed and regions effectively partitioned along ethnic lines.
—Mujib Mashal, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Local authorities on the scene described the building as like an informal settlement, saying the apartments in the building, intended only to house two or three people, were partitioned into sleeping areas to accommodate multiple people.
—David McKenzie, CNN, 31 Aug. 2023
The frequent result, not surprisingly, is a tussle over precious space informed by people's personal views on who has dibs on the armrests or how they should be partitioned.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2023
The vineyard itself is partitioned into 203 ouvrées, an old term that relates to the amount of land a vigneron can work in a day.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2023
Some of the plates were partitioned so that the components stayed separate and organized.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023
Pristina sees the plan as a recipe for a mini-state within Kosovo, effectively partitioning the country along ethnic lines.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
On May 21, 1991, in the third-floor men’s room at the University of Chicago Divinity School, a student noticed a hand dangling beneath one of the partitions, already turning blue.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023
Its leader, Mahmoud Abbas, could have been—and could still be, despite his weaknesses—a partner committed to peaceful partition.
FROM WAR TO PEACE
The destruction of Hamas’s armed forces will create a political vacuum in Gaza.
—Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2023
At thousands of branch offices around the country, workers tore down the iron bars and glass partitions that utilities had inherited from bank designs, and replaced these barricaded offices with new open and inviting layouts.
—TIME, 24 Oct. 2023
Creating nooks with partition walls can help give each spot a purpose and create a pleasant flow in your space.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2023
The show also includes a display of works on paper and related material in an octagonal space defined by partition walls.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2023
Israel declares independence After World War II, nearing the end of the British Mandate for Palestine, the United Nations General Assembly in 1947 passes Resolution 181, urging the partition of the land into two independent states — one Arab and one Jewish.
—Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023
The Khalistan separatist movement, which dates in earnest to before the partition of India at the end of British colonial rule in 1947, reached a bloody climax in the 1980s.
—Mujib Mashal, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Dozens of temples and mosques were targeted in a series of revenge attacks after the mosque was destroyed, prompting outbursts of sectarian violence – some of the worst since India’s hasty and bloody partition following the exit of its British colonial rulers in 1947.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
Verb
Ever since 1947, when the UN General Assembly voted in favor of partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, the organization has grappled with crises in the Middle East.
—Richard Gowan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2023
Despite the claim, Israeli leaders have not talked about partitioning Gaza or maintaining control over the territory, which its forces vacated in 2005.
—Andrés R. Martínez, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2023
The northeastern state of Manipur, where its top leader has employed the BJP’s majoritarian playbook, has been burning in ethnic conflict for months, with about 200 people killed and regions effectively partitioned along ethnic lines.
—Mujib Mashal, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Local authorities on the scene described the building as like an informal settlement, saying the apartments in the building, intended only to house two or three people, were partitioned into sleeping areas to accommodate multiple people.
—David McKenzie, CNN, 31 Aug. 2023
The frequent result, not surprisingly, is a tussle over precious space informed by people's personal views on who has dibs on the armrests or how they should be partitioned.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2023
The vineyard itself is partitioned into 203 ouvrées, an old term that relates to the amount of land a vigneron can work in a day.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2023
Some of the plates were partitioned so that the components stayed separate and organized.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023
Pristina sees the plan as a recipe for a mini-state within Kosovo, effectively partitioning the country along ethnic lines.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'partition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing partition
Dictionary Entries Near partition
Cite this Entry
“Partition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/partition. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
partition
noun
par·ti·tion
pər-ˈtish-ən,
pär-
partition
verb
partitioner
noun
-ˈtish-(ə-)nər
Medical Definition
partition
noun
par·ti·tion
pär-ˈtish-ən
: the distribution of a substance between two immiscible phases in contact at equilibrium and especially between two liquids
partition
transitive verb
Legal Definition
partition
noun
par·ti·tion
pär-ˈti-shən
: the severance voluntarily or by legal proceedings of common or undivided interests in property and especially real property : division into severalty of property held jointly or in common or the sale of such property by a court with division of the proceeds
partition
transitive verb
More from Merriam-Webster on partition
Nglish: Translation of partition for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of partition for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about partition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share