split

verb (DIVIDE)

/splɪt/ (present participle splitting, past tense and past participle split)

Definition

B2 [I or T] to (cause to) divide into two or more parts, especially along a particular line: The prize was split between Susan and Kate. Split the aubergines in half and cover with breadcrumbs. The teacher split the children (up) into three groups.informal I'll split (= share) this croissant with you. His trousers split when he tried to jump the fence. [+ obj + adj ] The woman had split her head open (= got a long, deep wound in her head) when she was thrown off the horse.Separating and dividing C2 [I] to form cracks: The wooden floor had cracked and split in the heat.Tearing and breaking into pieces C2 [I or T] If the people in an organization or group split, or if something splits them, they disagree and form smaller groups: The childcare issue has split the employers' group. The union executive has split down the middle (= divided into two equal-sized groups who disagree with each other) on what to do next. A group of extremists split (off) from the Labour Party to form a new "Workers Party".Arguing and disagreeing split the difference › If you split the difference, you agree on a number or amount that is exactly in the middle of the difference between two other numbers or amounts.Sharing

(Definition of split verb (DIVIDE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Browse related topics

You are looking at an entry to do with Separating and dividing, but you might be interested in these topics from the Cutting and joining topic area: