split

[ split ]

/ splɪt /

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See synonyms for split on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), split, split·ting.

to divide or separate from end to end or into layers: to split a log in two.

to separate by cutting, chopping, etc., usually lengthwise: to split a piece from a block.

to tear or break apart; rend or burst: The wind split the sail.

to divide into distinct parts or portions (often followed by up): We split up our rations.

to separate (a part) by such division.

to divide (persons) into different groups, factions, parties, etc., as by discord: to split a political party.

to separate (a group, family, etc.) by such division.

to cast (a ballot or vote) for candidates of more than one political party.

to divide between two or more persons, groups, etc.; share: We split a bottle of wine.

to separate into parts by interposing something: to split an infinitive.

Physics, Chemistry. to divide (molecules or atoms) by cleavage into smaller parts.

to issue additional shares of (stock) without charge to existing stockholders, thereby dividing their interest into a larger number of shares and reducing the price per share.

Slang. to leave; depart from: Let's split this scene.

verb (used without object), split, split·ting.

to divide, break, or part lengthwise: The board split in half.

to part, divide, or separate in any way (often followed by up): The group of children split up into two teams. We'll split up here and meet later.

to break asunder, as a ship by striking on a rock.

to become separated, as a piece or part from a whole.

to part or separate, as through disagreement; sever relations: They split up after a year of marriage. He split with the company after a policy dispute.

to divide or share something with another or others; apportion.

Slang. to leave; depart.

noun

the act of splitting.

a crack, tear, or fissure caused by splitting.

a piece or part separated by or as by splitting.

a breach or rupture, as between persons, in a party or organization, etc.

a faction, party, etc., formed by a rupture or schism.

an ice-cream dish made from sliced fruit, usually a banana, and ice cream, and covered with syrup and nuts.

Also called, especially British, nip. a bottle for wine or, sometimes, another beverage, containing from 6 to 6½ ounces (170 to 184 grams).

a bottle, as of soda, liquor, etc., which is half the usual size.

a strip split from an osier, used in basketmaking.

Masonry. a brick of normal length and breadth but of half normal thickness, used to give level support to a course of bricks laid over one not level.

Often splits . the feat of separating the legs while sinking to the floor, until they extend at right angles to the body, as in stage performances or gymnastics.

Bowling. an arrangement of the pins remaining after the first bowl in two separated groups, so that a spare is difficult.

Philately. bisect (def. 5).

one of the layers of leather into which a skin is cut.

the act of splitting a stock.

adjective

having been split; parted lengthwise; cleft.

disunited; divided: a split opinion.

(of a stock quotation) given in sixteenths instead of eighths of a point.

(of a stock) having undergone a split.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

their

there

they're

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for split

split hairs. hair (def. 11).

split the difference. difference (def. 13).

Origin of split

First recorded in 1570–80; 1950–55 for def. 13; from Dutch splitten; akin to splijten,German spleissen “to split”

OTHER WORDS FROM split

split·ta·ble, adjectivepre·split, adjectiveun·split, adjectiveun·split·ta·ble, adjective

Words nearby split

splint, splint bone, splinter, splinter group, splintery, split, split-brain, split cane, split decision, split-dollar insurance, split end

Definition for split (2 of 2)

Split

[ split ]

/ splɪt /

noun

a seaport in S Croatia, on the Adriatic: Roman ruins.

Italian Spa·la·to

[spah-lah-taw] /ˈspɑ lɑ tɔ/ .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for split

The ERGO K860 splits the keyboard onto two sides of the same device so that each half of the keyboard is fully designed to maximize comfort in both of your hands and wrists.
Best ergonomic keyboards for hand and wrist pain|PopSci Commerce Team|February 26, 2021|Popular Science
The North American Development Bank, where both countries put money to invest in international projects, said fixes to both PB-1B and its sister, called PB-1A, would cost about $13 million and would be split 50-50.
Mexico Says It Fixed the Tijuana River Sewage Problem. It’s Partly True.|MacKenzie Elmer and Vicente Calderón|February 26, 2021|Voice of San Diego
The Gomes-Avila pairing should be far less than an even split.
Alex Avila has experience catching Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin. And it shows.|Jesse Dougherty|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
In a Senate with a 50-50 split, Collins’ vote may be key for Levine to obtain confirmation.
Rachel Levine fends off anti-trans questioning in historic confirmation hearing|Chris Johnson|February 25, 2021|Washington Blade

Party leaders are always split over whether to pick its statewide nominees in conventions, which tend to favor more conservative candidates, or primaries, which tend to produce more moderate figures.
Liberty University surprised by Virginia GOP plans for drive-in convention on campus|Laura Vozzella|February 24, 2021|Washington Post
The conspirators were split into two teams, “Alpha” and “Bravo.”
The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country|Jacob Siegel|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If you look at the history, you can really understand why the parties are so divided and why the public is so split.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Before it was split between Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Baluchistan spread over an area slightly larger than California.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His section on why he and his wife split—he essentially chose soccer over her—would be risky if its candor were not so refreshing.
Tim Howard’s Wall of Intensity|William O’Connor|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most critically, the split perspectives of Noah and Alison need to marry more elegantly.
What On Earth Is ‘The Affair’ About? Season One’s Baffling Finale|Tim Teeman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Under the one-sixth they appear as slender, highly refractive fibers with double contour and, often, curled or split ends.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The cantonment was split into two sections by an irregular ravine, or nullah, running east and west.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
The atmosphere seemed drawn taut before him as though it must any instant split open upon a sound of crying.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
The Griffin carried off one sheep a day from a German village, till a man came with a "falchion" and split the Griffin open.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
The rein was fastened to a piece of split rattan drawn through the animal's nose.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade

British Dictionary definitions for split (1 of 2)

split

/ (splɪt) /

verb splits, splitting or split

to break or cause to break, esp forcibly, by cleaving into separate pieces, often into two roughly equal piecesto split a brick

to separate or be separated from a wholehe split a piece of wood from the block

to separate or be separated into factions, usually through discord

(often foll by up) to separate or cause to separate through a disagreement

(when tr, often foll by up) to divide or be divided among two or more personssplit up the pie among the three of us

slang to depart; leavelet's split; we split the scene

(tr) to separate (something) into its components by interposing something elseto split a word with hyphens

(intr usually foll by on) slang to betray the trust, plans, etc (of); informhe split on me to the cops

(tr) US politics to mark (a ballot, etc) so as to vote for the candidates of more than one partyhe split the ticket

(tr) to separate (an animal hide or skin) into layers

split hairs to make a fine but needless distinction

split one's sides to laugh very heartily

split the difference

to settle a dispute by effecting a compromise in which both sides give way to the same extent
to divide a remainder equally

noun

the act or process of splitting

a gap or rift caused or a piece removed by the process of splitting

a breach or schism in a group or the faction resulting from such a breach

a dessert of sliced fruit and ice cream, covered with whipped cream, nuts, etcbanana split

See Devonshire split

a separated layer of an animal hide or skin other than the outer layer
leather made from such a layer

tenpin bowling a formation of the pins after the first bowl in which there is a large gap between two pins or groups of pins

informal an arrangement or process of dividing up loot or money