part 1 of 3

noun

ˈpärt How to pronounce part (audio)
Definition of partnext
1
as in portion
one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled the model car came in several small parts that had to be put together

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2
as in share
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group wanted no part of the profits

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3
as in role
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists I'll do my part, so don't worry

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4
as in land
usually parts plural a broad geographical area I'm not from around these parts

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part

2 of 3

adverb

as in halfway
in some measure or degree well, you're at least part right about her original name

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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

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2
as in to move
to leave a place often for another parted with great ceremony but with little preparation for the dangers that lay ahead

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3
as in to divide
to set or force apart parted the prongs with pliers

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4
as in to die
to stop living before I part, I hope I have the opportunity to say my good-byes

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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
While questions about the rotation’s sustainability remain, there’s no denying how effective the starting pitchers have been, and Mikolas has been a key part of that. —Katie Woo, New York Times, 26 May 2025 Remember Gary Johnson Combat medic, Gary Johnson, was a part of a Dustoff helicopter crew during the 20-year-long Vietnam War. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2025
Adverb
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
His parting gift might be to broaden some of its horizons, too, and that legacy would extend well beyond his departure. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 13 May 2025 Her blonde hair parted in the center and was tucked behind her ears. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for part
Recent Examples of Synonyms for part
  1. portion
  2. share
  3. role
  4. land
  5. halfway
  6. separate
  7. move
  8. divide
Noun
  • The approved budget would preserve the portion of the program for those 65 and older, allocating $110 million for that coverage.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • Musk has also sought to operate Starlink, his satellite-internet company, in South Africa, but has balked at a law requiring foreign tech firms to sell a portion of their local subsidiaries to shareholders who are Black or historically disadvantaged.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 June 2025
Definition of portion
Noun
  • The number of mid-level touring artists dropped from 19% to 12% recently, while even superstars saw their share decrease from 44% to 36%.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 June 2025
  • International concerns about the war’s consequences, as well as trade tensions, drove Asian share prices lower Monday while oil prices surged.
    — Mehmet Guzel, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of share
Noun
  • If Matz resumes a hybrid role, having an effective Romero as the primary left-handed reliever will be vital.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • Separatist worlds rebel The ex-Republic Intelligence agent Berch Teller attempts to betray the Empire from within but is foiled by Tarkin, whom the Emperor rewards with a promotion to Grand Moff and a new role supervising the construction of a superweapon above Geonosis.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of role
Noun
  • Many farmers are leasing land for clean power projects, generating stable income streams that help sustain agricultural economies and keep land in the family for future generations.
    — Martin Hermann, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The new sale follows the recent opening of the Chicago Fire Football Club’s training facility, which sits on 23 acres of land that CHA has leased to the team.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Definition of land
Adverb
  • Cover and cook until cheese is melted and coats macaroni well, about 2 hours on LOW, stirring halfway though.
    — Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • Holm said halfway into the 30-minute flight, the pilots noticed an issue with the engine on the left side of the plane, which had overheated.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 May 2025
Definition of halfway
Verb
  • The couples who were separated in the show — like Jack and Kate, Desmond and Penny and Sawyer and Juliet — all reunited in those flashes.
    — Julie Tremaine, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The two are separated by an Interstate 95 overpass and the complex intersection of South Miami Avenue, South Dixie Highway, Brickell Avenue and Southwest 26th Road.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Definition of separate
Verb
  • Word moved around the ticket-holders, likely waiting for Novak Djokovic’s match to follow this one, that one of their own was doing something special.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • Last month, the department moved ahead with negotiated rulemaking, a lengthy process that would result in changes to federal regulations.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Definition of move
Verb
  • Divided Society Finally, the uneven distribution of access to and benefits from humanoid technology could divide society even further.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • These changes, called genetic mutations, cause bone marrow cells to grow and divide too quickly.11 Experts don’t fully understand why these genetic mutations happen.
    — Health, Health, 24 May 2025
Definition of divide

Phrases Containing part

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parsons
part
partake
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Cite this Entry

“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/part. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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