parting

1 of 3

noun

part·​ing ˈpär-tiŋ How to pronounce parting (audio)
Synonyms of partingnext
: a place or point where a division or separation occurs
see also:
parting of the ways

parting

2 of 3

adjective

: given, taken, or done at parting
a parting kiss

parting

3 of 3

present participle of part entry 2

Synonyms of parting

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Noun

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of parting in a Sentence

Noun I feared the morning, for I knew that our parting would be difficult. On parting, he took my hand and promised to return. “Good-night, good-night! Parting is such sweet sorrow…” —Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet the parting of the Red Sea Adjective His parting words to me were “Be patient.” As her parting shot, she said that the other candidate simply did not understand the needs of the city's citizens.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Later in the episode, Matt sits down with The Sun’s Michael Howes to discuss Wednesday’s breaking news of Maryland parting ways with football coach Mike Locksley. — Josh Tolentino, Baltimore Sun, 22 Oct. 2026 The loss of Flyte and Coe (Tom Brooke) earlier in the season leaves the Horses a little worse for wear, but Slow Horses has one parting blow for our semi-competent hero, River (Jack Lowden), before the season ends. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Brolin, on the other hand, opted not to ask Duffield and Kraus about the matter, preferring to imagine his own version of Mitt’s parting words to his son. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 Upon checkout, guests receive a parting gift—cherry tomatoes, honey, berries—which is sourced from a local farm. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parting

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parting was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing parting

Rhymes for parting

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Browse Nearby Words

parti-mortgage certificate
parting
parting flask
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Cite this Entry

“Parting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parting. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

parting

1 of 2 noun
part·​ing ˈpärt-iŋ How to pronounce parting (audio)
1
: separation sense 1, division
2
: a place where a division or separation occurs
a parting of the ways
3
: leave-taking
shake hands at parting

parting

2 of 2 adjective
1
: being in the process of departing
2
: serving to divide : separating
3
: given, taken, or performed at parting
a parting kiss

More from Merriam-Webster on parting

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parting

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