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
Learning from those conversations and becoming part of a large community expands the scope of what is possible is Mahama’s practice. — Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The new version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been cut from a five-hour show performed across two parts to a single three-hour performance as it is performed on Broadway. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 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
Hauck had reached out to head coach Bret Bielema on Sunday after a 42-19 loss to Ohio State, and the sides agreed to part, continuing an odd 2026 for Hauck. — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 On third-and-9 in the red zone, Kansas City’s front seven parted and gave up an 11-yard first-down run to Ollie Gordon, with De’Von Achane injured. — Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • The historic weather pattern claimed more than a dozen homes along the shore in Long Beach, swallowing up boardwalks and portions of the Pacific Coast Highway farther south.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued smoke advisories for several areas across the region, including portions of Newport Beach to San Clemente due to the Norte fire.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As financial markets have become more accessible, consumers have begun trading sophisticated financial instruments, purchasing fractional shares and gaining exposure to alternative assets in minutes.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Buss family is asking a superior court judge to dismiss Jeanie Buss’ petition to block Lakers share sale.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • While Spain's government has defended Rabat's role in helping the return of the majority of the 80,000 who entered Ceuta, many in Spain, including police and some lawmakers, doubt that Rabat could not have known about the mass movement of people.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Rusnak agreed that Democrats’ resurgence in Ohio is a result of national politics but added that the state’s candidates have played a role as well.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Submarine’s combat capabilities tested The launches demonstrated the submarine’s ability to engage targets at sea and on land while operating underwater in the Pacific Ocean.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Herds of cows waded across flooded pastures as ranchers guided them toward dry land.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • Our bow went up on the first wave with a lurch that threw Ed halfway out of his seat.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The military had managed to send a floating city halfway around the world.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • We are connected across continents in milliseconds, but too often separated by fear, anger, and mistrust.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Initially, Jessie’s overriding goal was simply to win back playtime with Bonnie, especially after becoming separated from her during a dance class.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Components can move from machining to assembly on the same day or the following day, enabling teams to test design changes on physical hardware sooner.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • However, the higher PPI is pointing to an economy that is gradually moving away from deflationary pressures even if the recovery remains uneven, said Hao Zhou, chief economist at Guotai Junan International Holdings.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the case of Yemen, the ground fighters inside the country who are taking on the Houthis are deeply divided and fought each other as recently as January.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Forty years ago, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met at Höfði House, representing rival nuclear superpowers divided by decades of distrust.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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