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noun \ˈpärt\

Simple Definition of part

  • : one of the pieces, sections, qualities, etc., that make or form something

  • : one of the pieces that are put together to form a machine

  • : one of the pieces or areas of the body of a plant or animal

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of part

  1. 1 a (1) :  one of the often indefinite or unequal subdivisions into which something is or is regarded as divided and which together constitute the whole (2) :  an essential portion or integral element b :  one of several or many equal units of which something is composed or into which it is divisible :  an amount equal to another amount <mix one part of the powder with three parts of water> c (1) :  an exact divisor of a quantity :  aliquot (2) :  partial fraction d :  one of the constituent elements of a plant or animal body: as (1) :  organ, member (2) plural :  private parts e :  a division of a literary work f (1) :  a vocal or instrumental line or melody in concerted music or in harmony (2) :  a particular voice or instrument in concerted music; also :  the score for it g :  a constituent member of a machine or other apparatus; also :  a spare part

  2. 2 :  something falling to one in a division or apportionment :  share <wanted no part of the proposal>

  3. 3 :  one's share or allotted task (as in an action) :  duty <one must do one's part>

  4. 4 :  one of the opposing sides in a conflict or dispute

  5. 5 :  a general area of indefinite boundaries —usually used in plural <you're not from around these parts> <took off for parts unknown>

  6. 6 :  a function or course of action performed

  7. 7 a :  an actor's lines in a play b :  the role of a character in a play

  8. 8 :  a constituent of character or capacity :  talent <a man of many parts>

  9. 9 :  the line where the hair is parted

for one's part
  1. :  as far as one's share or interest is concerned <for my part, I do not see that the difference is important — Mary McCarthy>

for the most part
  1. :  in general :  on the whole <for the most part the crowd was orderly>

in part
  1. :  in some degree :  partially

on one's part or on the part of one
  1. :  with regard to the one specified

Examples of part in a sentence

  1. The entire book is good, but the best part is the ending.

  2. I don't remember him saying that. I must have missed that part.

  3. The mechanic had to order the part from the manufacturer.

  4. The parts of a radio include the speaker, dials, and antenna.

  5. Do you have any spare parts for this model of car?

  6. the moving parts of the machine

  7. parts of the human body

  8. My favorite part of the chicken is the drumstick.

  9. a diagram labeling the different parts of the flower

  10. Come join us and be part of a winning team.

Origin of part

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Old English, both from Latin part-, pars; perhaps akin to Latin parare to prepare — more at pare

First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of part

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required <they ran only part of the way>. portion implies an assigned or allotted part <cut the pie into six portions>. piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole <a puzzle with 500 pieces>. member suggests one of the functional units composing a body <a structural member>. division applies to a large or diversified part <the manufacturing division of the company>. section applies to a relatively small or uniform part <the entertainment section of the newspaper>. segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage <the retired segment of the population>. fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off <only a fragment of the play still exists>.

Rhymes with part




Definition of part

  1. intransitive verb
  2. 1 a :  to separate from or take leave of someone b :  to take leave of one another

  3. 2 :  to become separated into parts

  4. 3 a :  to go away :  depart b :  die

  5. 4 :  to become separated, detached, or broken

  6. 5 :  to relinquish possession or control <hated to part with that money>

  7. transitive verb
  8. 1 a :  to divide into parts b :  to separate by combing on each side of a line c :  to break or suffer the breaking of (as a rope or anchor chain)

  9. 2 :  to divide into shares and distribute :  apportion

  10. 3 a :  to remove from contact or association <if aught but death part thee and me — Ruth 1:17(Authorized Version)> b :  to keep separate <the narrow channel that parts England from France> c :  to hold (as brawlers) apart d :  to separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion

  11. 4 a archaic :  leave, quit b dial British :  relinquish, give up

part company
  1. 1 :  to end a relationship or association

  2. 2 :  to diverge from another (as in opinion) —often used with with

Examples of part in a sentence

  1. The crowd parted to let the president through.

  2. The rain stopped and the clouds parted.

  3. The big red curtains parted to reveal a new car!

  4. The Bible tells the story of how God parted the Red Sea.

  5. She closed her eyes and parted her lips.

  6. She parts her hair on the side.

  7. His dark hair was parted down the middle.

  8. The two lovers parted at dawn.

  9. Tomorrow we shall part and, I fear, never see each other again.

  10. She couldn't bear the thought of parting from her family.

Origin of part

Middle English, from Anglo-French partir, from Latin partire to divide, from part-, pars

First Known Use: 13th century




Simple Definition of part

  • : somewhat but not completely : to some extent or in some degree

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of part

  1. :  partly

Examples of part in a sentence

  1. The story is part science and part fiction.

  2. The Chimera is a monster in Greek mythology that is part lion, part goat, and part serpent.


First Known Use of part





Simple Definition of part

  • : not complete or total

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of part

  1. :  partial 1

Examples of part in a sentence

  1. The claim is a part truth—there is more to the story than they are telling you.


First Known Use of part





Definition of part

PART Defined for Kids



noun \ˈpärt\

Definition of part for Students

  1. 1 :  one of the sections into which something is divided <This is the best part of the movie.> <That wasn't part of our agreement.>

  2. 2 :  some of something <My dog is part husky.> <I spent part of my day reading.>

  3. 3 :  a general area <She moved to another part of the state.>

  4. 4 :  a piece of a machine

  5. 5 :  one of the sides or aspects <The best part of camp is making new friends.>

  6. 6 :  the role of a character in a play

  7. 7 :  a line along which the hair is divided

  8. 8 :  a person's share or duty <I did my part for the team.>

  9. 9 :  the music for a voice or instrument <the soprano part>

  10. 10 :  a voice or instrument <four-part harmony>

  11. 11 :  a piece of a plant or animal body

for the most part
  1. :  with few exceptions :  on the whole <They were, for the most part, very pleased.>

Word Root of part

The Latin word pars, meaning “part,” and its form partis give us the root part. Words from the Latin pars have something to do with a part, section, or portion. To participate is to take part in some activity. Anything partial involves only part of something. A particle is a tiny bit or portion of something. It is easy to see that part itself also comes directly from pars in both form and meaning.




Definition of part for Students


  1. 1 :  to leave each other <They parted at the intersection.>

  2. 2 :  to separate the hair by combing on each side of a line

  3. 3 :  to give up possession of <She won't part with her money.>

  4. 4 :  to hold apart <He parted the curtains.>

  5. 5 :  to come apart <The crowd parted to let us through.>

  6. 6 :  to divide into parts

Medical Dictionary


noun \ˈpärt\

Medical Definition of part

  1. 1:  one of several or many like units into which something is divided or of which it is composed :  a proportional division or ingredient <mix the powder with three parts of water>

  2. 2:  a portion of an animal body: asa:  an essential anatomical element :  organ, member <the chief parts of the digestive system are the esophagus, stomach, intestine, and associated glands>b:  an indefinite area or one lacking or not considered in respect to a natural boundary <bathe the affected part with warm water>

Seen and Heard

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