1 : to break apart or into pieces especially along a straight line [no obj] ▪ The board split in two. ▪ The floorboards are starting to warp and split (up). ▪ The hull of the ship split apart on the rocks. ▪ A large chunk of ice split off/away from the iceberg and crashed into the water. [+ obj] ▪ split (up) a log ▪ She split the muffin and gave me half. 2 a : to separate or divide into parts or groups [no obj] ▪ The class split into several small groups. ▪ Two of the band members split off to form their own band. — often + up ▪ Let's split up and look for the lost dog. [+ obj] ▪ The teacher split the class into groups. ▪ The river splits the town in two. — often + up ▪ Families were often split up during the war.
b : to separate or divide into groups that disagree [no obj] ▪ The party is split over/on the issue of taxes. ▪ The church split into moderate and conservative factions. [+ obj] ▪ The budget issue has split (up) the town. ▪ Opinion is split on the wording of the new law. 3 [+ obj] : to divide (something, such as money or food) among two or more people or things
▪ We should split [=share] the costs. ▪ Why don't we just split a pizza for dinner? ▪ She splits her time between Boston and New York. [=she spends time in both Boston and New York] ▪ The prize money should be split (up) evenly. 4 : to cut, rip, or tear (something) especially along a straight line [+ obj] ▪ I split my lip when I fell. ▪ He bent over and split the seat of his pants. [no obj] ▪ His pants split when he bent over. 5 informal : to end or cause the end of a relationship [no obj] ▪ My parents split when I was little. — usually + up ▪ The band split up just after they released their new album. [+ obj] — + up ▪ Creative differences eventually split up the band. 6 [no obj] informal + somewhat old-fashioned : to leave quickly
▪ “Let's split!” [=let's get out of here]