part

PART/pɑɹt/UKPAHT/pɑːt/

27 meanings of part

1
componentnouncountable
One of the pieces that something is made of.
All the parts for the new shelf came in one small box.
A farmer can order a new tractor part by text message.
UsageSay spare parts for parts kept to replace broken ones.
Similarcomponent, element, piece
Note
2
regionnouncountable
A region or area within a country.
My cousins live in a quiet part of the country.
Strangers are rare in these parts.
UsageIn these parts means around here.
Similarregion, area
3
rolenouncountable
A role in a play, or your role in a situation.
He played a small part in the movie as a taxi driver.
She got the leading part in the school play.
UsageSay play a part in something.
Similarrole
Note
4
nouncountable
One of the sections that a book or document is split into.
Please turn to Part One, Chapter Two.
The report comes in three parts.
UsageWrite Part One with a capital P.
Similarsection
Note
5
to some extentadverb
To a degree, but not fully or all the way.
The trip was part work and part vacation.
Our dog is part wolf, so he needs a big yard.
UsageSay part this, part that: part work, part fun.
Similarpartly, partially, half
Oppositefully, wholly, completely, entirely
6
nouncountable
What you are expected to do, or your duty.
Everyone must do their part.
I did my part, now you do yours.
UsageSay do your part.
Similarrole, duty, share, responsibility
Note

Less common meanings

7
nouncountable or uncountable
Some of something, but not all of it.
I spent part of the money on a new bike.
It rained for part of the afternoon, and then the sun came out.
UsageSay part of the money or a large part of the money.
Similarportion, section
Oppositewhole
Note
8
money sharenouncountable
A share of something, especially of money.
Each of the three sisters received her part of the money.
Each partner takes a part of the profit.
UsageSay my part or her part of the money.
Similarshare, portion
Note
9
split apartverbtransitive
To split or move apart, or to make things or people separate, as in 'the clouds parted'.
The crowd parted to let the doctor through.
Use your hands to part the tall grass as you walk.
UsageSay part the curtains or the crowd parted.
Similarseparate, divide, split, open
Note
10
go separate waysverbintransitive
To leave someone or somewhere and go different ways.
The two men shook hands and parted.
Friends who part in anger rarely meet again.
UsageSay we parted or I parted from him.
Similarseparate, leave
Oppositemeet
11
verbintransitive
To give up or give away something you would like to keep (always said as part with).
He didn't want to part with his old guitar, but he needed the money.
Grandma finally parted with her rusty old car last summer.
UsageUsually part with a thing but part from a person.
12
mixing rationouncountable
An amount in a mixture, measured against the amounts of the other things in it.
Use one part vinegar to three parts oil.
The mixture is one part soda and ten parts water.
UsageSay one part juice to three parts water.
Note
13
hair linenounUScountable
The line where hair is combed in two directions.
I like to wear my part on the right side of my head.
She combed a straight part down the middle.
UsageSay a side part or a center part.
14
music linenouncountable
In music, the notes that one instrument, singer or group plays or sings in a piece.
I sing the alto part in our church choir.
The singers learned their parts separately.
Similarline, voice
Note
15
adjective
Being only some of something, not all of it.
My uncle became part owner of a fishing boat last year.
I gave him fifty dollars as part payment.
UsageSay part owner or part payment.
Similarpartial
Oppositefull, whole, sole
Note
16
comb hairverbtransitive
To comb hair two ways so that a line runs between them.
He parts his hair on the left.
Part it in the middle for the photograph.
UsageSay part your hair in the middle.
17
genitalsnouncolloquialeuphemisticcountable
A polite word for the sexual organs.
The doctor examined his private parts.
He grabbed a towel to cover his parts when the door opened.
UsagePeople usually say private parts.
Similarprivates, genitals
18
side (argument)nouncountable
One side in an argument or quarrel.
She always took her brother's part in a quarrel.
When the neighbors argued about the fence, Dad took no one's part.
UsageSay take someone's part in a fight.
Similarside
Note
19
talentsnouncountable
A skill or talent a person has, usually used in the plural.
She is a woman of many parts: singer, writer, and teacher.
Our new teacher was a man of many parts who could sing, paint and fix cars.
UsageSay a woman of many parts.
Similartalent, quality, ability, gift
Note
20
factor (math)noundatedcountable
In maths, a number that divides another number exactly, with nothing left over.
Similarfactor, divisor
Note
21
give out sharesverbarchaictransitive
To split something into pieces and give them out.
They parted my raiment among them.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, parted means divided up and shared out.
to part his throne, and share his heaven with thee
c. 1699, Alexander Pope, “The First Book of Statius His Thebais”Here, part means to divide and share.
Note
22
take a shareverbobsolete
To get or take a share of something.
They shall part alike.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, part means to get a share.
Note
23
verb
To separate one substance from another, as in refining.
24
verb
To leave a channel on IRC, an internet chat system.
25
nounUS
A room in a public building, most often one where a court sits.
26
noun
A very short unit of time in the Jewish calendar, three and a third seconds.
27
verbobsolete
To keep people or things apart, or come between them.
The stumbling night did part our weary powers.
c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–4, 6–8, 12–14, 17–20

From Latin pars, meaning a piece or share. It came into English through Old English and Old French.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Part ultimately derives from Latin pars, meaning a piece or share. en.wiktionary.org
The word entered English through Old English and Old French. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 9–11, 16, 21–22

From Old French partir, through Middle English parten.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

The verb part derives from Old French partir through Middle English parten. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 5, 15

From Middle English part, formed from the noun.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Part derives from Middle English part. en.wiktionary.org
The adjective and adverb were formed from the noun. en.wiktionary.org