1
: not complete or total
These plants prefer full sun or partial shade.
The partial ban on immigration has been lifted.
His latest play was deemed only a partial success by the critics.
a partial eclipse of the sun
He wears a partial denture.
She suggested a partial solution to the problem.
2
: tending to treat one person, group, or thing better than another
The competition's judges take great care not to seem partial. [=biased]
A referee must not be partial toward either team.
Cite this Entry
“Partial.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/partial. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.
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