part 1 of 3

Definition of partnext

part

2 of 3

adverb

part

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to separate
to go or move in different directions from a central point after traveling together for three weeks, we parted at Rome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

How is the word part distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of part are division, fragment, member, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can division take the place of part?

The meanings of division and part largely overlap; however, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When might fragment be a better fit than part?

The words fragment and part are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When could member be used to replace part?

While in some cases nearly identical to part, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When would piece be a good substitute for part?

Although the words piece and part have much in common, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

Where would portion be a reasonable alternative to part?

The synonyms portion and part are sometimes interchangeable, but portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is section a more appropriate choice than part?

While the synonyms section and part are close in meaning, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of part?

In some situations, the words segment and part are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of part
Noun
Most fascinating was a trip down memory lane that found the singer alone on stage at a desk, with a laptop — a boy and his MacBook — spontaneously looking up old videos to sing along with, in the only part of the hour-and-a-half set that brought in any catalog material. Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026 Sitting in a tired-looking office painted in beige and brown, al-Abidin said his agency dispatched forensic experts along with officials from Civil Defense, the Sudanese Red Crescent and neighborhood committees in July to scour parts of the capital for hundreds of mass graves. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The enclosed chamber offers very good heat regulation with an extruder fan, a part-cooling fan, an auxiliary part-cooling fan, and a fan to regulate the chamber. PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025 François Girard’s take — part mysterious, part mystifying — on Wagner’s last opera is one of the Met’s most interesting productions of the last decade or so, and returns for the first time since its premiere in 2013. David Allen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018
Verb
After liftoff, some Michiganders may catch a Florida rocket shoot into space from southeast Michigan skies, if clouds part in time. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 27 Mar. 2026 Her legs were parted and propped up. Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Success, Guerra said, will depend in part on whether the county will contribute its portion of the property tax increases, and on officials’ ability to attract new, for-profit businesses to the area.
    ANNIKA MERRILEES, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • During their flyby on April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew captured a portion of the moon along the boundary between lunar day and night, where low-angle sunlight casts long, dramatic shadows across the surface, revealing rugged topography, craters and ridges in striking detail.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That took share from price as sellers’ top concern, falling from nearly half of agents ranking it first to 39%.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The financial motive was also discredited as George had previously turned down his share of the family inheritance.
    Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Charlotte exhibition will work in tandem to promote other sites and museums highlighting the Carolinas’ role in the Revolutionary War.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Kendall, as usual, played multiple roles.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Let praise land, then keep going at your own pace.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Inspired by the Coachella headliner herself, the stop is a Sabrina fantasy land, with sparkly vintage cars, slushie concoctions and much more.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • Since the previous contract expired last June 30, the tentative deal is nearly halfway to its own end — meaning the bargaining cycle would be restarting soon.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
  • There’s not all that much to this pre-tape, really, outside the fun turn of Sarah Sherman’s character getting stuck halfway between human and frog morph from sneezing and farting at the same time.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On a computer, Krause pulled up a chromatography analysis, which separates mixtures into individual components.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Marriott is digging deep to separate itself as a luxury provider.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The instinctive Moon moves through your 11th House of Shared Hopes, trining surprising Uranus in your talkative 3rd house.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Groundwater tests in 1992 reveal gasoline was moving towards the Morningside house.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Kelly said that could be achieved by creating a fund that would be divided up annually between qualifying cities and counties — a similar proposal to one House lawmakers approved in the original version of the protest petition bill.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The warehouse has divided the community.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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