26984 words

split

21 definitions • 44 examples
1
to (cause to) divide into two or more parts, especially along a particular line:

Examples:

be split between The prize was split between Susan and Kate.
split something in something Split the aubergines in half and cover with breadcrumbs.
split someone/something (up) into something The teacher split the children (up) into three groups.
split something with someone informal I'll split (= share) this croissant with you.
His trousers split when he tried to jump the fence.
[ + obj + adj ] The woman had split her head open (= got a long, deep wound in her head) when she was thrown off the horse.
2
to form cracks:

Examples:

The wooden floor had cracked and split in the heat.
3
If the people in an organization or group split, or if something splits them, they disagree and form smaller groups:

Examples:

The childcare issue has split the employers' group.
split down the middle The union executive has split down the middle (= divided into two equal-sized groups who disagree with each other) on what to do next.
split (off) from A group of extremists split (off) from the Labour Party to form a new "Workers Party".
4
If you split the difference, you agree on a number or amount that is exactly in the middle of the difference between two other numbers or amounts:

Examples:

I suggested that we split the difference between his current salary and what we had initially offered for the job.
5
to accept that you will reduce your demands or change your opinion in order to reach an agreement with someone :

Examples:

She is always trying to split the difference and please everyone.
6
to tell other people secret and damaging information about someone:

Examples:

split on someone to someone They knew Josie wouldn't split on them to the teacher.
7
to leave a place
8
a long, thin hole in something where it has broken apart:

Examples:

split in Rain was getting in through a split in the plastic sheeting.
9
a situation in which a group of people is divided into smaller groups because they disagree about something:

Examples:

split between There is a widening split between senior managers and the rest of the workforce.
split in/within The tax issue has caused a split in/within the government.
split in There was a 75/25 split in the voting.
10
the action of sitting on the floor with your legs straight out and flat along the floor in opposite directions:

Examples:

do the splits Can you do the splits?
11
the time that is recorded after part of a race, or the part of a race itself:

Examples:

If you look at the splits of the other boats, it looks like the race will be close.
She swam the fastest split in U.S. relay history.
At the split time on the first descent he was in 5th place.
12
to divide into two or more parts, esp. along a particular line:

Examples:

[ T ] I suggest we split the profits between us.
[ T ] The teacher split the class into three groups.
[ I ] His pants split when he jumped the fence.
13
slang To split also means to leave a place:

Examples:

[ I ] The movie was boring, so I split.
14
a long, thin tear, or a division:

Examples:

There’s a split in this sheet.
Peace talks are threatened by a split among rebel leaders.
15
to divide or cause to divide into two or more parts:

Examples:

The senior leadership finally concluded that it made sense for the two businesses to split.
The roles of chief executive and chairman could be split.
split sth between sth It is thought that Mr Snow's job will now be split between general insurance and life insurance.
split sth equally/evenly She splits her time equally between work and home.
split sth up into sth The corporation was split up into three separate companies.
16
if a part of an organization splits or is split from the larger organization, it becomes its own independent organization:

Examples:

split (sth) from sth The Shanghai enterprise split from a joint venture with S.C. Johnson.
split sth into sth The electronics division was split off into a freestanding company.
17
to divide money in order to share it between people, organizations, or groups:

Examples:

split sth between sb/sth Sales-tax money will be split between the city and the state.
split sth two/three/four, etc. ways We will split the profits three ways.
split sth 50-50/60-40/70-30, etc. Let's split the cost 50-50.
18
to divide shares of a company into two or more shares with lower value:

Examples:

19
if a group of people or their opinions split or are split, some people have one opinion and others have a different opinion:

Examples:

The ruling party was split on the issue.
be split between sb Opinions were split cleanly between workers and managers.
split 50-50/55-45/60-40, etc. Shareholders split 55-45 in the vote to install the new CEO.
20
to end a relationship:

Examples:

The partners split after working together for fifteen years.
21
the act of dividing each of a company's shares into two or more shares:

Examples:

Companies that announce stock splits often see their shares rise before the split as investors anticipate demand.

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