Split Meaning

UK /splɪt/
US /splɪt/
Word Definition
split meaning

Split Definition & Usage

verb

To divide or separate something into parts, sections, or portions.

Examples

  • "She split the cake into equal pieces for the party."
  • "The company decided to split into two smaller firms to reduce costs."
  • "We need to split the workload evenly between the team members."
  • "He split the logs with an axe to prepare for winter."
  • "The teacher split the class into groups for the project."
verb

To break or cause to break into pieces, especially along a line or by force.

Examples

  • "The glass split when it hit the ground."
  • "His relationship with his best friend split after the argument."
  • "The rock split in two when struck with a hammer."
  • "The old tree split during the storm."
  • "The ice split under the weight of the truck."
noun

A division or separation into parts or groups.

Examples

  • "There was a split between the two factions in the company."
  • "The split in the road caused confusion among the drivers."
  • "The divorce led to a painful split of assets."
  • "The party experienced a split after a major disagreement."
  • "The team faced a split in opinion on how to approach the project."
adjective

Describing something that has been divided or separated.

Examples

  • "They sat at opposite ends of the split table."
  • "After the split decision, the team was left divided."
  • "The split decision in court left both parties unsatisfied."
  • "The split rock was too heavy to move without assistance."
  • "He wore a split jacket, one side red and the other blue."

Cultural Context

The word 'split' comes from Old English 'splittan', which means to divide or sever. It has been in use for centuries, with its meanings expanding from literal divisions, like splitting wood, to more figurative applications, such as splitting a relationship or a group. In modern times, 'split' is used in various contexts, from business to personal life, and even in sports, such as when teams split up or when there is a split decision.

The Great Divide

Story

The Great Divide

It was a cold autumn day when Jack and Emily stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the great river that separated their two villages. For years, they had been the closest of friends, but now a 'split' was inevitable. The river, once a symbol of their shared adventures, had become a barrier between their two homes. Jack reached for a piece of driftwood, examining the smooth edges, wondering if the same could be said of their relationship. Emily, on the other hand, was lost in thought, pondering whether the split had always been coming, whether the distance between them had grown too wide over time. They both knew that it wasn't just the river that had changed but also the nature of their bond. Their laughter had once echoed across the fields, but now silence stood in its place. The division between their villages mirrored the division between their hearts. 'Do you think we will ever cross back over?' Jack asked, breaking the silence. Emily looked up, her eyes a little misty. 'I don't know,' she replied. 'Maybe. But maybe we need to find our own way now.' As Jack walked away, he couldn't help but notice the split in the ground, a crack in the earth that seemed to match the feelings inside him. It was as though the world itself had conspired to make everything feel broken. Yet, deep down, he understood. Sometimes, even the strongest bonds can split, and that's a part of growing. The days passed, and Jack continued his journey, exploring the world outside of the familiar. One day, while hiking through the mountains, he encountered a group of travelers sitting around a campfire. 'You look like you've crossed some great divides,' one of them said, offering him a seat. Jack smiled faintly and shared his story, and in the telling, he realized something important: sometimes, a split isn't the end. It's just the beginning of a new chapter. When Emily eventually crossed the river to visit him, they both knew that their friendship, although forever changed, would continue. The split had taught them both that moving forward was possible, and sometimes, separation brings clarity.

The Great Divide