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
For McIntosh, that convergence of art, architecture and fashion has been part of SKP’s identity from the outset. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026 As part of the program, artists spent considerable time at both the Met and the Vacheron Constantin Manufacture in Geneva, and then used those experiences as launching points for their own works. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 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
For the shoot, Chastain swapped her signature red hair for soft blonde waves parted at the center. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 8 Oct. 2026 But then, in a moment Bekoff described as straight out of a movie, the clouds parted right as the bridal party headed outside. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • Shifts among Latino voters, who represent sizable portions of the electorate in both states, and Trump’s sagging approval rating appear to be driving Democrats’ strength in redder areas.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Under these pressures, a portion of cost increases has already transmitted to consumers through fare adjustments.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Over the past two months, amid efforts to find what could be more than $20 billion to recapitalize insurance funds, Walter has sold his controlling interest in the Lakers and a minority share of Chelsea, the English Premier League club.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The share of Americans who rate their lives 7 to 10 out of 10 barely moved, while the average fell more steeply.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Behind the scenes, Chicago historian and media personality Studs Terkel played an integral role, acting as a guide for Mitchell.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Unusual weather conditions played a role, officials said, with the number of extreme heat warning days tripling from five in 2025 to 15 so far this year.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Its original location on a spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the salt pond may have been a bit too ambitious—after suffering damage from the 1938 New England Hurricane, it was relocated across the pond, reopening in 1939.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The Benbrook City Council passed an ordinance aimed at restricting development in flood-prone areas a year after a home builder sought to develop a section of land in the Mary’s Creek floodplain.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • While the damage was minor, this was all caused by the magnetar SGR 1806-20, which is 50,000 light-years away, halfway across our galaxy.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Chang Chun, a Taiwanese petrochemical firm, now manufactures electronic-grade hydrogen peroxide in Casa Grande, a city of some 70,000 people halfway between Phoenix and Tucson.
    — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These bands can be separated by energy gaps where electrons cannot normally exist.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Like Saito’s own father, the girls’ father had been separated from the family since their parents’ divorce.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Those offseason moves, combined with the injuries, have withered the depth that had allowed Presti to be patient in trade negotiations during previous seasons, without feeling a need to make splashy midseason acquisitions.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But Florida has decisively moved beyond an educational system dominated by a single operator — the school district — and toward a new construct where multiple operators provide choices for families.
    — Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Several aircraft could divide surveillance tasks or combine their efforts to improve coverage in a particular sector.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Depending on your opinion of him (the fandom is divided), this one might not be your favorite.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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