1
a
: at a little distance
tried to keep apart from the family squabbles
b
: away from one another in space or time
towns 20 miles apart
2
a
: as a separate unit : independently
Viewed apart, his arguments were unsound.
b
: so as to separate one from another
I found it hard to tell the twins apart.
3
: excluded from consideration : aside
A few blemishes apart, the novel is excellent.
4
: in or into two or more parts : to pieces
coming apart at the seams
see also take apart
Synonyms
Examples of apart in a Sentence
Adverb
He stood with his feet planted far apart.
He stood apart while the other members of the team celebrated.
Their children were born two years apart.
My wife and I are unhappy when we're apart.
They separated and have been living apart for the past year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
For Spring 2026 to be truly successful, NYFW needs to continue to feel bigger, more international, and more experiential, while still championing the raw creativity that sets New York apart.
—Vogue Runway, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Add two or three wool dryer balls or new tennis balls to help break apart clumps and maintain the loft in the insulation.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apart 
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Adverb
Two samples collected eight days apart at Indian Wells in March 2024 showed low levels of Clostebol, an anabolic steroid.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
For Spring 2026 to be truly successful, NYFW needs to continue to feel bigger, more international, and more experiential, while still championing the raw creativity that sets New York apart.
—Vogue Runway, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
In the clip, two workers in high visibility vests appeared to use hammers and chisels to break apart stone blocks on the pyramid.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025
Add two or three wool dryer balls or new tennis balls to help break apart clumps and maintain the loft in the insulation.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for apart
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Dictionary Entries Near apart
Cite this Entry
“Apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apart. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apart
1 of 2 adverb1
: away from each other
five miles apart
2
: as something separate
viewed apart from the other
3
: in or into two or more parts
took the clock apart
4
: one from another
can't tell the twins apart
apart
2 of 2 adjective
: separate from others
in a place apart
apartness
noun
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