rift
n. · v.-
1 a social or political break (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea serious disagreement that stops two people or groups from having a friendly relationship.
a serious breach in relations between individuals, groups, or nations, often resulting from a fundamental disagreement.
ExampleThe argument over money caused a deep rift between the two brothers.
ExampleThe decision to increase membership fees created a significant rift within the party, leading several prominent members to resign in protest.
UsageOften used with the prepositions 'between' or 'within'.
-
2 a physical crack (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencea deep crack or opening in the ground or in a rock.
a fissure, crack, or chasm in a rock formation or the earth's crust.
ExampleThe earthquake left a massive rift across the main highway.
ExampleGeologists monitored the widening rift in the valley, concerned that the tectonic activity might signal an imminent volcanic event.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 a break in clouds (n.) C2 Proficiency Literarya small opening in clouds or mist that lets light shine through.
an opening in a mass of clouds, fog, or mist through which light or sky is visible.
ExampleA sudden rift in the clouds allowed a single beam of sunlight to hit the valley.
ExampleThrough a narrow rift in the heavy morning mist, the sailors caught their first fleeting glimpse of the jagged coastline.
-
4 to split open (v.) C2 Proficiency Literaryto burst or split open.
to split or cleave; to form a fissure or opening.
ExampleThe dry earth began to rift under the heat of the summer sun.
ExampleThe ancient stone walls began to rift as the roots of the massive trees pushed through the foundation over many decades.
- split
- cleave
- rive
From Middle English rift, of North Germanic origin; akin to Danish rift, Norwegian Bokmål rift (“breach”), Old Norse rífa (“to tear”). More at rive.
From Old Norse rypta.