verb | noun | adjective
splitsplit1 /splɪt/ ●●● S2 verb (past tense and past participle split, present participle splitting) 1
DISAGREE [intransitive, transitive] if a group of people splits or is split, it divides into two or more groups, because one group strongly disagrees with the other: The issue has split legal scholars.split over/on Lawmakers split along party lines over the budget.split from/with The left wing split from the main organization.split something in two/split something down the middle The war has split the nation in two.2SEPARATE INTO PARTS [intransitive, transitive] to divide or separate into different parts or groups, or to make something do this: The trail splits when you reach the lake.split into The corporation will split into three smaller companies.split something into something I’m going to split the class into three groups.split in two/half After independence, the country split in two.► see thesaurus at separate23BREAK OR TEAR [intransitive, transitive] if something splits or if you split it, it tears or breaks, usually along a straight line: He’s outside splitting logs. The branch split under our weight.split open/apart One of the bags had split open.split (something) in two/half Split the rolls in half.► see thesaurus at break14SHARE [transitive] to divide something into separate parts so that two or more people each get a part SYN divide: They sold the house and split the proceeds.split something with/between/among somebody I’ll split this sandwich with you.split the bill/cost/check They agreed to split the cost of repairs.split something down the middle/split something fifty-fifty (=divide something equally)split something three/four etc. ways (=into three, four, or more equal parts)5INJURE [transitive] if you or something else splits your head or your lip, it gets badly cut, especially because you fall against something or get hit by something: She fell and split her head open.6split the difference to agree on an amount that is exactly between two amounts that have been mentioned7split hairs to argue that there is a difference between two things, when the difference is really too small to be important8split your sides (laughing) to laugh very hard9STOCK [intransitive, transitive usually passive] social studies, economics if stock in a company splits or is split, it is divided into more shares that are each less valuable, but together are worth the same amount as the original shares10LEAVE [intransitive] slang to leave quickly11COMPETITION [transitive] if two teams split a competition, they both have equal scores in itsplit off phrasal verb1 split something ↔ off to completely separate from a group, or to make part of a group do this: They plan to split off part of the business.split off from Norway split off from Sweden in 1905.2 split something ↔ off to break something away from something so that it is completely separate, or to break off in this way: A piece of the cliff split off and fell to the valley floor.split up phrasal verb1 split somebody ↔ up if people split up or someone or something splits them up, they end their marriage or relationship: My parents split up when I was three. Why would she try to split them up?split up with Taylor’s splitting up with his wife.2 split somebody ↔ up if people who work or perform together split up or someone or something splits them up, they stop working or performing together: The band split up in 2003.3 split somebody/something ↔ up to divide into separate groups, or to make a pair or group of people or things do this: Let’s split up and meet back here in a half an hour.split (somebody/something) up into something The teacher split up the class into three groups.4 split something ↔ up to divide or separate something into different parts: split something up into something You should really split the article up into sections. verb | noun | adjective
splitsplit2 ●●○ S3 noun [countable] 1DISAGREEMENT a serious disagreement that divides an organization or group of people into smaller groups: split in/within a deep split within the churchsplit between/among a split between party moderates and conservativessplit over a split over economic policy2TEAR a tear or crack in something made of cloth, wood, etc.: split in a split in the seam of his pants3SHARE the way in which something, especially money, is shared between several people: a three-way/four-way etc. split (=a share of something that is divided equally between three, four, etc. people)a 50–50/60–40/70–30 etc. split (=a split in which each person or group gets 50%; one person gets 60% and the other 40%, etc.)4DIFFERENCE a clear separation or difference between two things, ideas, opinions, etc.: a startling split between men’s and women’s views of sexual harassment5BAND/TEAM ETC. the act of ending a relationship in which you work or perform together with other people: split with the band’s split with their manager6RELATIONSHIP the act of ending a marriage or a similar relationship: split with her split with her husband7STOCK an occasion when the stock in a company is divided into more shares that are each less valuable, but together are worth the same amount as the original shares SYN stock split8do the splits (also do a split) to spread your legs wide apart so that your legs touch the floor along their whole length → see also banana split verb | noun | adjective
splitsplit3 adjective [usually not before noun] 1in a state of disagreement, with two groups of people having directly opposing opinions: split on/over The party is split over immigration laws. Voters are evenly split on the war.2if a society or other group is split into two or more groups, it contains two very separate groups: Society remains split along racial lines.3having a tear or a crack