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
While Cora, who was also part of the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal, is now on the unemployment line, he is considered one of the better skippers in baseball. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026 The launch is part of Levi’s broader global partnership with four of soccer’s most iconic national federations—Mexico, USA, England and France. Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 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
According to prosecutors, after parting from his attorney in the parking lot of the courthouse, White got into his vehicle and intentionally ran into Thomas, who was standing next to his own vehicle some distance away. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026 These perennials thrive in full sun to part shade and often rebloom in fall—a great choice for long-lasting color. Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
Noun
  • The chefs then get three hours, starting now, to put their own spin on that dessert and create 60 portions to feed to Top Chef fans converging to celebrate the series’ 20 years on the air.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
  • That is borne out by the real-life strategy of the University of California endowment, run by Jagdeep Singh Bachher, who seven years ago shifted a significant portion of the fund’s assets from hedge funds, private equity and venture capital into low cost stock index funds.
    Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Mom and daughter share adoring glances at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in London.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The playoffs have delivered their share of Knicks villains over the years, from Reggie Miller to Joel Embiid to Tyrese Haliburton.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The role of the head coach is to provide their players with new solutions and the confidence to execute them.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Wilson is also an actress, with roles on Yellowstone and in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This land, now dotted with Russian mines, is currently inaccessible.
    Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The state’s population is projected to balloon further with even more residential sprawl and water demands, while harming its environment and natural lands.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • During back flushes, the valve is never opened more than halfway; this allows for an instantaneous flow rate of no more than 27 gpm.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The squeeze on shipments through the strait has rippled through global maritime trade, including through the Panama Canal nearly halfway around the world.
    Munir Ahmed, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Elkins and his wife, identified by family members as Shaneiqua Elkins, were separating and had been due in court Monday, said Crystal Brown, a cousin of a woman shot in the attack.
    Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • That has pushed Ulta to search for new ways to separate itself from an increasingly crowded field of competitors, according to Jefferies.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And his favorite high school team, the Spartans, swept a two-game series from Sun Valley Poly with their own great pitching to move three games up in the Valley Mission League race with four to play.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Hortiz acknowledged working the phones in order to add picks and/or move back in the draft order.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The money bitterly divided the golf world.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Chondrites are divided into three families—ordinary, enstatite and carbonaceous—with the key difference being how oxidized their iron-bearing minerals are, much like the difference between a shiny unoxidized iron nail and one that’s rusty from heavy oxidation.
    Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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