parting

American  

[pahr-ting] / ˈpɑr tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that parts.

2. a division or separation.

3. a place of division or separation.

4. a departure or leave-taking.

5. death.

6. something that serves to part or separate things.

7. Mineralogy. a fracture of a crystal along a plane determined by twinning or pressure rather than along a cleavage plane.

8. Metallurgy. parting line.

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adjective

1. given, happening, taken, done, etc., at parting.

   a parting glance.

2. of or relating to parting, leave-taking, departure, or death.

   parting words.

3. ending or taking leave.

   the parting day.

4. dying.

5. dividing or separating.

parting British  

/ ˈpɑːtɪŋ /

noun

1. US, Canadian, and Austral equivalent: part.  the line of scalp showing when sections of hair are combed in opposite directions

2. the act of separating or the state of being separated

3. 1. a departure or leave-taking, esp one causing a final separation

   2. ( as modifier )

      a parting embrace

4. a place or line of separation or division

5. chem a division of a crystal along a plane that is not a cleavage plane

6. a euphemism for death

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adjective

1. literary departing

   the parting day

2. serving to divide or separate

Etymology

Origin of parting

1250–1300; Middle English partyng (gerund). See part, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Raducanu has been relying on Alexis Canter for regular support since parting company with coach Francisco Roig after the Australian Open.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

And the announced crowd of 18,145 at Crypto.com Arena made sure he knew that parting is such sweet sorrow, standing and cheering long after the game had ended.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Actress-turned-talk show host Drew Barrymoreis parting ways with her historical Westchester retreat after putting the sprawling property on the market for $4.99 million—just two years after she bought it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Actress-turned-talk show host Drew Barrymoreis parting ways with her historical Westchester retreat after putting the sprawling abode on the market for $4.99 million—just two years after she bought it.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

He was standing there, his blue eyes sagging with tiredness, but with a warm smile parting his lips above the beard.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

Related Words

• breakup