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

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
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Not knowing the answer could be the most useful part of today’s lesson. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026 Second, hold part of the budget back, since campaigns locked months ahead cannot follow a decision that forms this week. — Kamya Elawadhi, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Adverb
Sphere’s recent drama credits include Cardinal and Netflix’s Mae Martin-starrer Wayward and it also part-owns Heated Rivalry distributor Sphere Abacus. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026 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
Verb
Her hair was parted deeply to one side with a portion teased up and curled, similar to how Monroe wore her hair in movies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 3 Nov. 2026 After briefly parting, Larry visits Marian’s room and the pair end up spending the night together. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Caltrans said that during the portion of the closure, those lanes will be free for everyone to use to get through the traffic.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Hard to believe, but the postseason is underway for a large portion of the country, with everyone else to follow suit next week.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The anti-immigration Rassemblement National party has increased its share of seats in parliament, and its leader, Marine Le Pen, is the favorite for the Presidential election next year.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026
  • If representation matched their share of the city’s working age population, those agencies would employ approximately 5,300 more Latino workers, a 30% increase.
    — Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The Olympic Games are less than two years away, and the sheriff’s department will be expected to play a major role in keeping millions of visitors and athletes safe.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Evers said Crowley also played a large role in negotiations on a $500 million deal to upgrade the baseball stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play and to keep the team in the city through 2050.
    — Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Hall explained that his family had made it onto their new land but still needed a few materials to get things working properly.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2026
  • An adjacent overpass over Agoura Road, as well as a land bridge still being built between the structures, are currently bare.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Adverb
  • Cava has reached 500 restaurants ahead of schedule, putting it halfway toward its goal of at least 1,000 locations by 2032.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Shear catmint back halfway after flowering to keep it neat and spur more blooms.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The leather chain separates from the meat chain early and runs through more hands, weakening the link between the tannery and the farm.
    — Maria Brozman, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The couple briefly separated in 2025 after the first season of the reality show had aired, but later reconciled.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Their shared ambition is straightforward, which is to move fusion from experimental physics rigs into commercially viable power plants.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Kerhonkson was also within easy reach of her sister, who had moved with her family from the East Village to Millbrook, in Dutchess County, in 2024.
    — Heather Senison, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Chiplets and advanced packaging Chiplet designs divide a system’s functions among smaller semiconductor dies connected within a single package.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Those benefits focus on food security, economic mobility and reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the highway.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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