splitting

American  

[split-ing] / ˈsplɪt ɪŋ /

adjective

1. being split or causing something to split.

2. violent or severe, as a headache.

3. very fast or rapid.

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noun

1. Usually splittings. a part or fragment that has been split off from something.

   Some cavemen made their smaller tools from the splittings of stone.

splitting British  

/ ˈsplɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a headache) intolerably painful; acute

2. (of the head) assailed by an overpowering unbearable pain

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noun

1. psychoanal the Freudian defence mechanism in which an object or idea (or, alternatively, the ego) is separated into two or more parts in order to remove its threatening meaning

Other Word Forms

• antisplitting
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of splitting

First recorded in 1585–95; split + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Advocates say other cities have bifurcated offices, and splitting it could reduce conflict and provide a clear delineation of roles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

Traditional spectrometers work by splitting light into its component colors using prisms or gratings, then measuring the intensity of each wavelength.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

Musk had earlier said that SpaceX had moved its AI training to Colossus II, so the companies may be splitting that capacity.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

Green hydrogen generally refers to hydrogen gas produced from splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewably sourced electricity.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

“You said it yourself—they weren’t getting along anymore. They were splitting up! What if Quinton realized she was keeping secrets from him?”

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

Related Words

• breakdown
• disintegration
• dissolution
• divorce
• separation
• split
• termination