split; splitting
1
a
: to divide lengthwise usually along a grain or seam or by layers
b
: to affect as if by cleaving or forcing apart
the river splits the town in two
2
3
: to divide into parts or portions: such as
a
: to divide between persons : share
b
: to divide into factions, parties, or groups
c
: to mark (a ballot) or cast or register (a vote) so as to vote for candidates of different parties
d(1)
: to divide or break down (a chemical compound) into constituents
split a fat into glycerol and fatty acids
(2)
: to remove by such separation
split off carbon dioxide
e
: to divide (stock) by issuing a larger number of shares to existing shareholders usually without increase in total par value
4
: to separate (the parts of a whole) by interposing something
split an infinitive
5
: leave
split the party
split town
1
a
: to become split lengthwise or into layers
b
: to break apart : burst
2
3
British
: to betray confidence : act as an informer
—usually used with on
4
: to apportion shares
2
: prepared for use by splitting
split bamboo
split hides
3
: heterozygous
—used especially by breeders of cage birds sometimes with for
1
a
: a narrow break made by or as if by splitting
b
: an arrangement of bowling pins left standing with space for pins between them
2
: a piece split off or made thin by splitting
3
a
: a division into or between divergent or antagonistic elements or forces
a cultural split
b
: a faction formed in this way
4
a
: the act or process of splitting something (such as the stock of a corporation)
b
: the act of lowering oneself to the floor or leaping into the air with legs extended at right angles to the trunk
5
: a product of division by or as if by splitting
6
: a wine bottle holding one quarter the usual amount or about .1875 liters (6 to 6.5 ounces)
also
: the quantity held by a split
7
: an ice cream sundae served over slices of fruit (such as banana)
8
: the recorded time at or for a specific part of a race
Synonyms
Examples of split in a Sentence
Verb
The board split in two.
The hull of the ship split apart on the rocks.
A large chunk of ice split off from the iceberg and crashed into the water.
She split the muffin and gave me half.
The class split into several small groups.
Two of the band members split off to form their own band.
The teacher split the class into groups.
The river splits the town in two.
The party is split over the issue of taxes.
The church split into moderate and conservative factions.
Adjective
opinions are split on the subject
Noun
There's a split down the back of your jacket.
The new policy has caused a split in the organization.
a split between liberals and conservatives
a wide split of opinions
Recent Examples on the Web
Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
The organ is split into six different segments, and sections of thickened tissue are said to correlate to spells of colder weather.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
But when Congress was split, this decrease shrank to a much smaller 0.002%.
—Charles Sims / The Conversation, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024
The Paragon was one of few splits reliable enough to navigate through the garbage with a semblance of grace, all while encouraging riders to throw little spins, ride switch, and pop off rock-hard pillows without too much concern for landing stability.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for split 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
After months spent working on an effort to revitalize Saratoga’s commercial scene, the Saratoga City Council was split in its decision to advance a pilot outdoor dining program for a fine dining restaurant in the city’s downtown.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
The organ is split into six different segments, and sections of thickened tissue are said to correlate to spells of colder weather.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
With a split council and an absent Spencer, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft made a final statement that urged Spencer to seek assistance for substance use and mental health in the wake of the Oct. 18 incident.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
But when Congress was split, this decrease shrank to a much smaller 0.002%.
—Charles Sims / The Conversation, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
While delivered with a smile, the question was deadly serious in a congressional district with such an even partisan split that anything could happen to knock the future incumbent off kilter two years from now, as just happened to Democratic first-term Rep. Yadira Caraveo.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024
The Paragon was one of few splits reliable enough to navigate through the garbage with a semblance of grace, all while encouraging riders to throw little spins, ride switch, and pop off rock-hard pillows without too much concern for landing stability.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for split
Dictionary Entries Near split
Cite this Entry
“Split.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/split. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
split
1 of 3 verb
split; splitting
1
a
: to divide lengthwise or by layers
split a log
b
: to divide or separate as if by forcing apart
a river split the town
families were often split up
c
: to mark (a ballot) or cast (a vote) for candidates of different parties
2
a
: to burst or break apart or in pieces
b
: to affect as if by breaking up or tearing apart
a roar that split the air
3
a
: to divide into shares
we split the profit
b
: to divide into groups or parts
we'll split up; you take the left fork
they split into two teams
c
: to become separated off
split from the group
4
: depart sense 1
split for the party
5
British
: inform sense 2, tell
—usually used with on
splitter
noun
split
3 of 3 adjective
: divided by or as if by splitting
a split lip
Medical Definition
split
transitive verb
split; splitting
: to divide or break down (a chemical compound) into constituents
split a fat into glycerol and fatty acids
also
: to remove by such separation
Legal Definition
split
1 of 2 verb
split; splitting
: to divide into parts or portions: as
a
: to divide into factions, parties, or groups
b
: to mark (a ballot) or cast or register (a vote) so as to vote for candidates of different parties
c
: to divide (stock) by issuing a larger number of shares to existing shareholders usually without increase in total par value see also stock split
d
: to divide (a cause of action) into separate parts or claims in order to institute an action for less than all
Note: Splitting a cause of action is usually prohibited.
: to become divided or separated
the Supreme Court, splitting five to four, sustained the law—R. H. Bork
R. H. Bork
split
noun
split
2 of 2 adjective1
: divided into portions, parts, or fragments
a split trial
a split stock
2
: divided by or in opinion
a split court
a split decision
Geographical Definition
Split
geographical name
city and port on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia population 166,500
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