split

[ split ]

/ splɪt /

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.

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having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.

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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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for split

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
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

Democrats split over moves to weaken Wall Street reforms, and Republicans pouted over lost leverage.
‘Cromnibus’ Passes, But Did Anyone Win?|Ben Jacobs|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The split portion of the hub is made to grip the shaft by means of a heavy clamp ring and set screw.
Illustrated Catalogue of Cotton Machinery|Howard & Bullough American Machine Company, Ltd.
The main bearing bosses were split at a 45 angle for ease of assembly.
The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their Design|Leonard S. Hobbs.
Beaver are split but stretched round and should be left in the hoop or stretcher for several days.
Fur Farming|A. R. Harding
Depend upon it, tryin to split peperage logs ain't nothin to it.
Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia|Seba Smith
Trees were to be cut down and wood was to be chopped, sawed, and split for the coming summer.
Rural Life and the Rural School|Joseph Kennedy

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