split

1 of 3

verb

split; splitting

transitive verb

1
a
: to divide lengthwise usually along a grain or seam or by layers
b
: to affect as if by cleaving or forcing apart
the river splits the town in two
2
a(1)
: to tear or rend apart : burst
(2)
: to subject (an atom or atomic nucleus) to artificial disintegration by fission
b
: to affect as if by breaking up or tearing apart : shatter
a roar that split the air
3
: to divide into parts or portions: such as
a
: to divide between persons : share
b
: to divide into factions, parties, or groups
c
: to mark (a ballot) or cast or register (a vote) so as to vote for candidates of different parties
d(1)
: to divide or break down (a chemical compound) into constituents
split a fat into glycerol and fatty acids
(2)
: to remove by such separation
split off carbon dioxide
e
: to divide (stock) by issuing a larger number of shares to existing shareholders usually without increase in total par value
4
: to separate (the parts of a whole) by interposing something
split an infinitive
5
: leave
split the party
split town

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become split lengthwise or into layers
b
: to break apart : burst
2
a
: to become divided up or separated off
split into factions
split from the group
b
: to sever relations or connections : separate
c
: leave
especially : to leave without delay
split for the coast
3
British : to betray confidence : act as an informer
usually used with on
4
: to apportion shares

split

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
: prepared for use by splitting
split bamboo
split hides
3
: heterozygous
used especially by breeders of cage birds sometimes with for

split

3 of 3

noun

1
a
: a narrow break made by or as if by splitting
b
: an arrangement of bowling pins left standing with space for pins between them
2
: a piece split off or made thin by splitting
3
a
: a division into or between divergent or antagonistic elements or forces
a cultural split
b
: a faction formed in this way
4
a
: the act or process of splitting something (such as the stock of a corporation)
b
: the act of lowering oneself to the floor or leaping into the air with legs extended at right angles to the trunk
5
: a product of division by or as if by splitting
6
: a wine bottle holding one quarter the usual amount or about .1875 liters (6 to 6.5 ounces)
also : the quantity held by a split
7
: an ice cream sundae served over slices of fruit (such as banana)
8
: the recorded time at or for a specific part of a race
Phrases
split hairs
: to make oversubtle or trivial distinctions
split one's sides
: to laugh heartily
split the difference
: to arrive at a compromise
Choose the Right Synonym for split

tear, rip, rend, split, cleave, rive mean to separate forcibly.

tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

Examples of split in a Sentence

Verb The board split in two. The hull of the ship split apart on the rocks. A large chunk of ice split off from the iceberg and crashed into the water. She split the muffin and gave me half. The class split into several small groups. Two of the band members split off to form their own band. The teacher split the class into groups. The river splits the town in two. The party is split over the issue of taxes. The church split into moderate and conservative factions. Adjective opinions are split on the subject Noun There's a split down the back of your jacket. The new policy has caused a split in the organization. a split between liberals and conservatives a wide split of opinions See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Sometimes, that meant a spectacular pass, such as his 52-yard strike to rookie Zay Flowers that split two defenders or his lovely 17-yard teardrop to Nelson Agholor for the deciding touchdown. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023 The zoos have not been identified but they were roughly split between the animals’ natural latitudes and those outside that range. Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 18 Sep. 2023 While Mayfield didn’t post big numbers in Tampa Bay’s opener, the sixth-year pro who spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns before splitting 2022 between the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams does have the attention of the Bears. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023 According to the Marry Me star, the three Lopez girls shared a bed, as the young couple, who reportedly split in 1999, couldn’t afford a larger space. Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023 But Libya is split into two rival governments — one in the west, based in Tripoli, and one in the east — and its terrain has been torn up by the path of the flood, further complicating relief efforts. Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2023 McCord spent the first two weeks splitting No. 1 offense reps with Devin Brown. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2023 Enhanced with vitamin E, this vegan, gluten-free nail strengthener helps build strong nails resistant to splitting. Kayla Hui, Mph, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2023 The Rock & Roll Americana Auction is split into two sessions that both end on September 23. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Located in a Jordan Lane shopping center also home to a pawn shop, pizzeria and other businesses, MK does crunchy whole and split wings, with a variety of wet sauce and dry rub options. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023 In turn, the Red Sox snatched Game 1 of Thursday’s split doubleheader with the Yankees — largely because of Houck. Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 In a split vote, the Baltimore County Board of Education decided Tuesday night to close Campfield Early Learning Center. Sabrina Leboeuf, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023 The country remains split between rival governments in the east and the west, a divide that has fueled confusion over causality counts and the coordination of a humanitarian response. Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 These senators then expect to use their largely unified position as leverage to get their way in the more detailed agency funding outlines expected in the late fall, while also dominating the split House on negotiations over the annual Pentagon funding policy legislation. Paul Kane, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2023 This combination lets builders choose between maximum airflow or maximum quietness, and the split acoustic panels even allow those with dual-fan radiators to cover the hole where the third fan would have gone. PCMAG, 4 Sep. 2023 Here's how to do a mobilization backbend: Start in a split stance, with one foot slightly behind you and the heel slightly raised. Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 18 Aug. 2023 Adam is a 39-year-old dad from Missouri who is part of a split family. Carissa Quiambao, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
Noun
Later that month, Bryan announced his split from his girlfriend Deb Peifer on X, formerly known as Twitter. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023 Former Vice President Mike Pence publicly acknowledged the split between the GOP’s traditional conservative establishment and its populist majority in a speech Wednesday at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023 Cyrus, 30, and Hemsworth, 33, met while filming her movie The Last Song in 2010 and got married in 2018, the split in August 2019 after less than one year as man and wife. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Sep. 2023 After a year of dating each other (and a faux proposal), the two split in June 2020 due to COVID restrictions. Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2023 Johnson & Johnson’s growth stems from a 50-50 split between organic, in-house development and expansion through acquisitions and partnerships, according to its finance chief. Mark Maurer, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2023 McCord’s first and second half splits somewhat resembled those of the last time the Buckeyes broke in a new starting quarterback — also on the road against a Big Ten Conference opponent. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2023 Because Florida State and Clemson and North Carolina have made noise about wanting better splits. Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 1 Sep. 2023 The news of the pop star’s split follows recent news that Demi Lovato parted ways with Braun’s SB Projects after working together for four years and is seeking new management. Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'split.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Dutch splitten, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle High German splīzen to split and probably to Old High German spaltan to split

First Known Use

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of split was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near split

Cite this Entry

“Split.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/split. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

split

1 of 3 verb
split; splitting
1
a
: to divide lengthwise or by layers
split a log
b
: to divide or separate as if by forcing apart
a river split the town
families were often split up
c
: to mark (a ballot) or cast (a vote) for candidates of different parties
2
a
: to burst or break apart or in pieces
b
: to affect as if by breaking up or tearing apart
a roar that split the air
3
a
: to divide into shares
we split the profit
b
: to divide into groups or parts
we'll split up; you take the left fork
they split into two teams
c
: to become separated off
split from the group
4
: depart sense 1
split for the party
5
British : inform sense 2, tell
usually used with on
splitter noun

split

2 of 3 noun
1
: a narrow break made by or as if by splitting : crack
2
: the act or process of splitting : division
3
: the act of lowering oneself to the floor or leaping into the air with the legs extended in a straight line and in opposite directions

split

3 of 3 adjective
: divided by or as if by splitting
a split lip

Medical Definition

split

transitive verb
split; splitting
: to divide or break down (a chemical compound) into constituents
split a fat into glycerol and fatty acids
also : to remove by such separation

Legal Definition

split

1 of 2 verb
split; splitting
: to divide into parts or portions: as
a
: to divide into factions, parties, or groups
b
: to mark (a ballot) or cast or register (a vote) so as to vote for candidates of different parties
c
: to divide (stock) by issuing a larger number of shares to existing shareholders usually without increase in total par value see also stock split
d
: to divide (a cause of action) into separate parts or claims in order to institute an action for less than all

Note: Splitting a cause of action is usually prohibited.

intransitive verb

: to become divided or separated
the Supreme Court, splitting five to four, sustained the lawR. H. Bork
split noun

split

2 of 2 adjective
1
: divided into portions, parts, or fragments
a split trial
a split stock
2
: divided by or in opinion
a split court
a split decision

Geographical Definition

Split

geographical name

city and port on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia population 166,500

More from Merriam-Webster on split

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