par·ti·tion
pär-ˈti-shən 
pər-
1
2
: something that divides
especially
: an interior dividing wall
The bank teller sat behind a glass partition.
3
: one of the parts or sections of a whole
The estate was divided into three partitions.
partitioned; partitioning; partitions
1
a
: to divide into parts or shares
b
: to divide (a place, such as a country) into two or more territorial units having separate political status
2
: to separate or divide by a partition (such as a wall)
—often used with off
Examples of partition in a Sentence
Noun
A thin partition separates the two rooms in the cabin.
Folding partitions separate the different banquet halls in the building.
The bank teller sat behind a glass partition.
the partition of former Yugoslavia
the partition of Korea into North and South Korea
Verb
It was necessary to partition the work to be done to make the job easier to accomplish.
The room is partitioned into four sections.
After the war, the country was partitioned.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
The heavy metals in water partition onto the leaves while the tea steeps, resulting in lower heavy metal consumption by tea drinkers.
—Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2025
Andrew Keatts, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
The Sunni Arab world simply refused to accept the establishment of the Jewish state, as exemplified by its marked resistance to the UN’s 1947 plan to partition the British Mandate of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
—Moshe Yaalon, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2018
See All Example Sentences for partition
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Noun
It was originally intended as a two-year temporary partition, after which a general election to establish a single national government—either communist or capitalist, depending on the votes—would then be held.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
The heavy metals in water partition onto the leaves while the tea steeps, resulting in lower heavy metal consumption by tea drinkers.
—Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Zoom in: The Victorian mansion was built in 1886 as the home of businessmen Abraham Klauber before it was partitioned into apartment units.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
The Sunni Arab world simply refused to accept the establishment of the Jewish state, as exemplified by its marked resistance to the UN’s 1947 plan to partition the British Mandate of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
—Moshe Yaalon, Foreign Affairs, 26 Jan. 2018
See All Example Sentences for partition
Cite this Entry
“Partition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/partition. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
partition
noun
par·ti·tion
pär-ˈtish-ən
: the distribution of a substance between two immiscible phases in contact at equilibrium and especially between two liquids
partition
transitive verb
Legal Definition
partition
noun
par·ti·tion
pär-ˈti-shən
: the severance voluntarily or by legal proceedings of common or undivided interests in property and especially real property : division into severalty of property held jointly or in common or the sale of such property by a court with division of the proceeds
partition
transitive verb
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