parting

1 of 2

noun

part·​ing ˈpär-tiŋ How to pronounce parting (audio)
: a place or point where a division or separation occurs

parting

2 of 2

adjective

: given, taken, or done at parting
a parting kiss
Phrases
parting of the ways
1
: a point of separation or divergence
2
: a place or time at which a choice must be made

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Former President Joe Biden took a parting shot at President Donald Trump before departing Washington, D.C., for California and embarking on his life as a private citizen. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Jan. 2025 Attending last night’s (December 13) New York premiere, the actor wore her blonde hair in a low chignon, with a deep, dramatic side parting kept slick to her head. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024 This was an amicable parting of ways, sources said, as Sloan’s deal was up and she’s relocated from New York to L.A. to focus more on her acting and stand-up. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025 However, the terms of that agreement are up for review on November 30, before the start of Trump’s second term, leaving the outgoing Democratic administration with an opportunity to put in place pricing rules that will apply for a six-year period, as a parting gift. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parting 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1562, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near parting

Cite this Entry

“Parting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parting. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

parting

1 of 2 noun
part·​ing ˈpärt-iŋ How to pronounce parting (audio)
1
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

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