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split

SPLIT/splɪt/

Verbsplits, splitting, split

Noun pluralsplits

35 meanings of split

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  1. 1
    cut apartverbtransitive or intransitive
    To break or cut something, or to break or burst open, into parts, especially lengthwise or along the grain, all the way through or only partway.

    The carpenter split the board lengthwise to make two thin panels.

    A single blow can split a coconut cleanly in two.

    UsageThe past form is also split (not incorrect: splitted); often split something in two or in half.

    Similarcrack, break

    Note

    The core physical sense is a fairly late arrival in English, in use since about 1567. Its range runs from Robert Boyle's marble "split asunder by congealed water" in 1660 to the splitting of water molecules in photosynthesis. Its close synonym is cleave.

  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To divide something and share out the parts.

    We always split the cost of dinner.

    The siblings split their inheritance without any argument.

    UsageUse between or among for the people: split the bill between four, split the money among three.

    Similarshare, divide, halve, apportion

  3. 3
    adjective
    Describing something that is already divided or broken into two or more parts, as in split peas or a split screen.

    The party entered the election with a split leadership.

    A split lip needed two stitches after the fall.

    UsageOf people or groups, often split on or over an issue, and deeply or evenly split.

    Similardivided, separated, fractured

    Oppositeunited, unified, whole

  4. 4
    group breaks upverbtransitive or intransitive
    To cause a group to break up or fall into discord, or to break up in this way.

    Internal rivalries can split even the strongest alliance.

    The movement split into feuding factions within a year.

    UsageOften split into factions or camps, or split over an issue.

    Similardivide, fracture, splinter, polarize

    Oppositeunite, unify

    Note

    The figurative break, applied to groups rather than objects. It runs in both directions: an outside force splits the group, as when accusations of bribery split a party, or the group splits on its own into factions. The noun for a breach names the result.

  5. 5
    end a romanceverbintransitive
    Of a couple, to end a relationship and go separate ways; to break up.

    Many couples split over money long before anyone talks about divorce.

    The actors split last spring after six years together but remain close friends.

    UsageAlso split up; one partner splits from the other: she split from her husband.

    Similarseparate, part

  6. 6
    nouncountable
    A breach or separation within a group, such as a political party; a division.

    The vote exposed a growing split in the coalition.

    A bitter split divided the membership into rival camps.

    UsageOften a split in a group or a split between two sides, sometimes over an issue.

    Similarrift, division, schism, breach, rupture

    Oppositeunity, reconciliation

  7. 7
    the rationouncountable
    The manner in which money, votes, work or the like is shared out, or the proportions in which it is shared.

    The final count showed a 60-40 split in favor of the new park.

    The partners argued for months over the split of the firm's profits.

    UsageOften given as numbers: a 60-40 split, a 50-50 split; also the split of the profits.

    Similardistribution, breakdown

  8. 8
    nouncountable
    A crack, tear, or long narrow opening in something, such as wood, rock, or leather.

    The hikers spotted a split in the rock face.

    A split along the canoe's hull let water seep in.

  9. 9
    leaveverbslangtransitive or intransitive
    To leave or depart, often suddenly.

    We should split before the manager notices.

    He split town the morning after the fight.

    UsageOften let's split; it can also take the place left: split town. For neutral writing, use leave or go.

    Similarleave, go (entry), depart, exit, quit

    Oppositestay, arrive

  10. 10
    race timenouncountable
    The time recorded at a checkpoint partway through a race or speedrun, or the time taken for one section of it.

    His split at the 200-meter mark put him on record pace.

    The runner's final split showed she had slowed in the last lap.

    Note

    Runners and speedrunners both keep splits. Each is read at a set point, such as the 800 m mark of a 3000 m race, and written as a time (1:45.32). Laid side by side, splits show pacing: where an athlete was on record pace, and where the final stretch slowed.

    Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 6 facts

  11. 11
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    Of two teams playing a doubleheader, to each win one game and lose the other.

    The Yankees and Red Sox split their doubleheader, trading wins.

    After losing the opener, the home team won the nightcap to split the doubleheader with its rivals.

    Oppositesweep

    Note

    Baseball's word for breaking even across a doubleheader. It takes two constructions: one team splits with another (Boston split with Philadelphia), or the two teams split the doubleheader between them. The verb describes the outcome of the pair of games, so no single game can be split.

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Origin

Attested since about 1567, from Middle Dutch splitten and/or Middle Low German splitten ("to split"), both ultimately going back through Proto-West Germanic and Proto-Germanic *splītaną to Proto-Indo-European *(s)pley- ("to split, splice").

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • The English word is attested from about 1567. en.wiktionary.org
  • The proposed borrowing sources are Middle Dutch splitten and/or Middle Low German splitten, meaning 'to split'. en.wiktionary.org
  • The proposed ancestry passes through Proto-West Germanic and Proto-Germanic *splītaną to Proto-Indo-European *(s)pley-, meaning 'to split, splice'. en.wiktionary.org