split

I UK [splɪt] / US verb
Word forms "split":
present tense I/you/we/they split he/she/it splits present participle splitting past tense split past participle split
**

1) split or split up

[intransitive/transitive] to divide into smaller groups, or to divide people into smaller groups

Let's split into groups and work separately.

Many American families are split by large geographical distances.

a) [intransitive/transitive] to divide or break something into several parts, or to be divided or broken into several parts

Just split the cake into three and leave one piece for Simon.

The lower section splits into three parts.

b) [transitive] to share something by dividing it into separate parts

I split my working hours between three offices.

I suggest we split the bill (= divide it into equal amounts).

split something between someone:

The Republican vote was split fairly evenly between four candidates.

2)

a) [intransitive/transitive] to make a long thin cut or break in something

How did you split your trousers?

One of the boxes fell and split open.

b) [transitive] to make a long thin cut in your skin

She fell and split her lip.

3) [intransitive] to separate from a group or organization

1979 was the year they split from the party.

4) [intransitive] informal old-fashioned to leave a place

It's getting late – I'll have to split.

•

be split on/over something — to be unable to agree about something

The party is split on the issue of closer European unity.

- split the difference

- split hairs

- split your sides

Phrasal verbs:

- split up

II UK [splɪt] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "split":
singular split plural splits
*

1) a way of dividing something

a fifty-fifty split in the voting

a three-way/four-way split

2)

a) a division of a large group into smaller groups because of a disagreement

The split in the party could have had a disastrous effect on the election.

b) a disagreement that causes a group to divide into smaller groups

There is anxiety about the growing split over foreign policy.

3) a cut or break in something

a small split in the fabric

4) a difference between things

There's a big split between the attitudes of managers and junior staff.

5) the splits a position in which you rest on the floor with your legs spread wide in opposite directions