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

The rhenium component helped hydrogen attach to and release from the catalyst surface, while the molybdenum sped up the splitting of water in the alkaline electrolyte.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

And unlike Becerra, he didn’t move full-time to D.C., and was splitting his time between the nation’s capital and California, where his family lived.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 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

Data experts Opta produce an xGK figure, similar to the xG value attached to shots at goal in football, which assesses the likelihood of a particular kicker splitting the uprights from different distances and angles.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

“Man, we’re in this together, Ben. We’re partners because we saw this together. I wouldn’t think of making money off this without splitting it with you.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

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