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
Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2025
Moreover, although partition was deemed acceptable and realistic by 48 percent, just 20 percent supported a two-state solution conforming to United Nations resolutions based on the 1967 borders.
—Scott Atran, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2025
Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made By History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
That factoid is soon made very, very clear; the slide and the ball pit are also red, as is the huge sectional at the center of the family room, the chandelier above, the velvet ropes that partition the area, the dramatically swooping drapes, and the nearby pair of ginormous bean bags.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for partition
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Noun
The political partition complicates Hobbs’ goal of scoring wins on her agenda ahead of her 2026 reelection bid.
—Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2025
Moreover, although partition was deemed acceptable and realistic by 48 percent, just 20 percent supported a two-state solution conforming to United Nations resolutions based on the 1967 borders.
—Scott Atran, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
After World War I, the British and French partitioned the Middle East through the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
—Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made By History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
That factoid is soon made very, very clear; the slide and the ball pit are also red, as is the huge sectional at the center of the family room, the chandelier above, the velvet ropes that partition the area, the dramatically swooping drapes, and the nearby pair of ginormous bean bags.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for partition
Cite this Entry
“Partition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/partition. Accessed 13 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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