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
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The court ruled unanimously that states cannot bar Trump from the ballot using Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, but four of the justices split from the majority's determination that only Congress could enforce the clause. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024 Currently, an agent or broker representing a home seller typically splits a commission — often around 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price — with the agent working on behalf of the homebuyer. Alex Veiga, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for split 

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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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