# split

/ˈspɫɪt/ (US) · /splˈɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/split
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to divide or break

verb · CEFR B1

to tear or break something along a straight line.

For teachers: to divide or cause to break along the grain or a straight line; often used as an ergative verb.

- He used an axe to split the wood for the campfire.
- The intense heat caused the dry timber to split with a loud crack, sending splinters across the workshop floor.

### 2. to share costs

verb · CEFR B1

to divide something, like a bill or a task, into equal parts between people.

For teachers: to divide a whole into portions for distribution or sharing; frequently used with 'the bill' or 'the cost'.

- We decided to split the bill at the restaurant since we all ordered similar meals.
- The partners agreed to split the profits equally, ensuring that each contributor was fairly compensated for their initial investment.

### 3. to end a relationship

verb · CEFR B2

to end a romantic relationship or stop working together as a group.

For teachers: to separate or cease a relationship or association; often used with the particle 'up'.

- The band decided to split up after ten years of making music together.
- After months of irreconcilable differences, the two political factions finally split, forming entirely separate parties before the election.

### 4. to leave

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to leave a place quickly.

For teachers: to depart from a location, often used in informal contexts to suggest a sudden or necessary exit.

- This party is getting boring, let's split.
- The group decided to split before the police arrived to investigate the noise complaint.

### 5. a crack or gap

noun · CEFR B2

a long, thin hole or crack in something.

For teachers: a longitudinal fissure or narrow opening resulting from breaking or parting.

- I noticed a small split in the seam of my jacket.
- The geologist pointed out a significant split in the rock face, suggesting recent tectonic activity in the region.

### 6. gymnastics move

noun · CEFR B2

a move where you sit on the floor with your legs straight out in opposite directions.

For teachers: an athletic position in which the legs are extended 180 degrees apart in opposite directions.

- She practiced every day until she could finally do the splits.
- The gymnast concluded her floor routine with a perfect split, demonstrating remarkable flexibility and control.

### 7. race timing

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the time it takes to complete one part of a longer race.

For teachers: the time recorded at an intermediate point during a race or athletic event.

- His first lap split was very fast, but he slowed down later.
- The coach analyzed the runner's splits to determine where her pace had faltered during the final kilometer of the marathon.

### 8. divided

adjective · CEFR B2

divided into two or more parts.

For teachers: having been divided or partitioned; often used to describe opinions or decisions.

- The committee was split on whether to approve the new budget.
- The court issued a split decision, reflecting the deep ideological divide among the presiding judges.

## Examples

- The argument caused a permanent split in the family.
- After months of internal tension, the political party suffered a major split over the new tax policy.
- The geological survey revealed a deep split in the rock formation, suggesting that tectonic activity had significantly altered the landscape over several millennia.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.