Meaning & Definition of word "Partition"

Partition

/pɑːrˈtɪʃən/

noun:

  • 1. A division or separation of something into distinct parts.
    • Example: The office was divided by a partition to create separate workspaces.
  • 2. An interior structure that separates a space into smaller areas.
    • Example: They installed a wooden partition to create a private area in the living room.
  • 3. In mathematics, a way of writing a number or a quantity as a sum of smaller integers.
    • Example: The partition of the number 5 can be represented as 1 + 4 or 2 + 3.

verb:

  • 1. To divide something into parts or sections.
    • Example: We need to partition the data so that it can be processed more efficiently.
  • 2. To separate a space or area with a physical barrier.
    • Example: They decided to partition the garden with a fence to keep the dogs in one area.

Etymology

Middle English from Old French 'partition', from Latin 'partitio', from 'partire' meaning 'to divide'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

partition wall:

A wall that separates two areas, typically within a building.

partitioned space:

An area that has been divided into sections.

data partitioning:

The process of dividing a database into smaller, manageable parts.

Related Words

divide:

To separate into parts or groups.

segregate:

To set apart from the rest.

section:

A distinct part of something.

Slang Meanings of partition

Meaning: To cut something off or set it aside.

Example Sentence: He decided to partition his tasks into manageable chunks.

Meaning: Referring to separating oneself from a group.

Example Sentence: She likes to partition from the noisy crowd at parties.