split; splitting
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
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
1
a
: to become split lengthwise or into layers
b
: to break apart : burst
2
3
British
: to betray confidence : act as an informer
—usually used with on
4
: to apportion shares
2
: prepared for use by splitting
split bamboo
split hides
3
: heterozygous
—used especially by breeders of cage birds sometimes with for
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
Synonyms
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
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Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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
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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
Phrases Containing split
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.
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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
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.
: to become divided or separated
the Supreme Court, splitting five to four, sustained the law—R. H. Bork
R. H. Bork
split
noun
split
2 of 2 adjective1
: 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
Nglish: Translation of split for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of split for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about split
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