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
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
The court recognized and held that the union’s regulations could and did govern the agents’ business entity, a decision which splits from the NFLPA’s regulation of agents.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
So there were some split kitchen tables, but not enough to help Harris win.
—Daniel Wood, NPR, 21 Nov. 2024
Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
But the gender gap was among the most glaring splits, with more women backing Vice President Kamala Harris and a majority of men supporting President-elect Donald Trump.
—Jessica Dickler,ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for split 
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.
Verb
The two take the reins of the company as its corporate parent splits itself in two, keeping the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, the Bravo cable network, theme parks and movie operations in one entity and a passel of cable networks and digital properties in the other.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
The court recognized and held that the union’s regulations could and did govern the agents’ business entity, a decision which splits from the NFLPA’s regulation of agents.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The delay was made necessary after last week's split ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that said the 1,000-foot chain of buoys floating for the past year near Eagle Pass may remain in place while the legal wrangling continues.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
So there were some split kitchen tables, but not enough to help Harris win.
—Daniel Wood, NPR, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Like Lazarus, Cordella had few details about how the split would work, something that NBC’s sports rights partners are likely eager to hear more about.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
But the gender gap was among the most glaring splits, with more women backing Vice President Kamala Harris and a majority of men supporting President-elect Donald Trump.
—Jessica Dickler,ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 21 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 30 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share