plural parts
1
a(1)
: one of the often indefinite or unequal subdivisions into which something is or is regarded as divided and which together constitute the whole
… the road was passable only part of the year …—
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
(2)
: an essential portion or integral element
Change is an inevitable part of life.
b
: one of several or many equal units of which something is composed or into which it is divisible : an amount equal to another amount
mix one part of the powder with three parts of water
c(1)
: an exact divisor of a quantity : aliquot
(2)
d
: one of the constituent elements of a plant or animal body: such as
(2)
e
: a division of a literary work
a novel in four parts
f(1)
: a vocal or instrumental line or melody in concerted music or in harmony
(2)
: a particular voice or instrument in concerted music
also
: the score for it
the violin part
g
: a constituent member of a machine or other apparatus
the parts of an airplane
also
: a spare part
automobile parts
2
: something falling to one in a division or apportionment : share
wanted no part of the proposal
3
: one's share or allotted task (as in an action) : duty
one must do one's part
4
: one of the opposing sides in a conflict or dispute
he that is not against us is on our part—Mark 9:40 (King James Version)
Mark 9:40 (King James Version)5
: a general area of indefinite boundaries
—usually used in plural
you're not from around these parts
took off for parts unknown
6
: a function or course of action performed
objected to the government's part in the strike
see also take part
7
a
: an actor's lines in a play, movie, etc.
The actress learned her part well.
b
: the role of a character in a play, movie, etc.
played the part of the villain
8
: a constituent of character or capacity : talent
a man of many parts
9
: the line where the hair is parted
His part was on the left side of his head.
parted; parting; parts
1
a
: to separate from or take leave of someone
b
: to take leave of one another
2
: to become separated into parts
4
: to become separated, detached, or broken
5
: to relinquish possession or control
hated to part with that money
1
a
: to divide into parts
b
: to separate by combing on each side of a line
c
: to break or suffer the breaking of (something, such as a rope or anchor chain)
2
: to divide into shares and distribute : apportion
3
a
: to remove from contact or association
if aught but death part thee and me—Ruth 1:17 (King James Version)
Ruth 1:17 (King James Version)
b
: to keep separate
the narrow channel that parts England from France
c
: to hold (people, such as brawlers) apart
d
: to separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion
4
b
dialectal British
: relinquish, give up
Phrases
for one's part
: as far as one's share or interest is concerned
for my part, I do not see that the difference is important—Mary McCarthy
Mary McCarthy
: in general : on the whole
for the most part the crowd was orderly
: in some degree : partially
: with regard to the one specified
1
: to end a relationship or association
2
: to diverge from another (as in opinion)
—often used with with
Synonyms
Examples of part in a Sentence
Noun
The entire book is good, but the best part is the ending.
I don't remember him saying that. I must have missed that part.
The mechanic had to order the part from the manufacturer.
The parts of a radio include the speaker, dials, and antenna.
Do you have any spare parts for this model of car?
the moving parts of the machine
parts of the human body
My favorite part of the chicken is the drumstick.
a diagram labeling the different parts of the flower
Come join us and be part of a winning team.
Verb
The crowd parted to let the president through.
The rain stopped and the clouds parted.
The big red curtains parted to reveal a new car!
The Bible tells the story of how God parted the Red Sea.
She closed her eyes and parted her lips.
She parts her hair on the side.
His dark hair was parted down the middle.
The two lovers parted at dawn.
Tomorrow we shall part and, I fear, never see each other again.
She couldn't bear the thought of parting from her family.
Adverb
The story is part science and part fiction.
The Chimera is a monster in Greek mythology that is part lion, part goat, and part serpent.
Adjective
The claim is a part truth—there is more to the story than they are telling you.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
The district covers parts of East Oakland, including the Fruitvale neighborhood.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
In a mirror selfie shared on Thursday, Oct. 31, Hailey's bright copper hair is parted to the side and cascades around her shoulders, with bold highlights adding dimension to the style.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
David Allen, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018
Josh Miller, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2024
Those deaths also disproportionately affect Black Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, a pattern that reflects in part disparities in who lives along dangerous roads and who must walk or bike there.
—Emily Badger, New York Times, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for part 
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.
Noun
Was your family still part of the organization when you were cast out?
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
The district covers parts of East Oakland, including the Fruitvale neighborhood.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
Their bruised appearances may come from upper clouds parting to reveal darker layers underneath, or perhaps a dark cloud tower looming in the stratosphere.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
In a mirror selfie shared on Thursday, Oct. 31, Hailey's bright copper hair is parted to the side and cascades around her shoulders, with bold highlights adding dimension to the style.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
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
Adjective
Shop the Gallery Further Reading Part history lesson, part coffee-table book, and part private journal, Walter Anderson: The Extraordinary Life and Art of the Islander by Robert St. John and Anthony Thaxton is a gate- way into the mind of the creative genius.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2024
Those deaths also disproportionately affect Black Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, a pattern that reflects in part disparities in who lives along dangerous roads and who must walk or bike there.
—Emily Badger, New York Times, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for part
Articles Related to part
Dictionary Entries Near part
Cite this Entry
“Part.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/part. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
part
1 of 3 noun1
a
: one of the pieces into which something can be divided
b
: one of the equal units of which something is composed
a fifth part for each
d
: a particular melody or line of music for one voice or instrument or a certain group of voices or instruments in harmony with others
e
: a piece of a machine or equipment
2
: a person's share, duty, or function
did my part
3
: one of the sides in a conflict
take another's part in a quarrel
4
: a general area : region
—usually used in plural
you're not from around these parts
5
: a role in a play
6
: the line where the hair is divided in combing
part
2 of 3 verb1
: to separate from or leave someone : go away : depart
2
: to become separated, detached, or broken
the ice parted
3
: to give up possession or control
wouldn't part with their old car
4
a
: to divide into parts
b
: to separate by combing on each side of a line
part
3 of 3 adverb
: partly
was only part right
Medical Definition
part
noun1
: one of several or many like units into which something is divided or of which it is composed : a proportional division or ingredient
mix the powder with three parts of water
2
: a portion of an animal body: as
b
: an indefinite area or one lacking or not considered in respect to a natural boundary
bathe the affected part with warm water
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