splitting

American  

[split-ing] / ˈsplɪt ɪŋ /

adjective

1. being split or causing something to split.

2. violent or severe, as a headache.

3. very fast or rapid.

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noun

1. Usually splittings. a part or fragment that has been split off from something.

   Some cavemen made their smaller tools from the splittings of stone.

splitting British  

/ ˈsplɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a headache) intolerably painful; acute

2. (of the head) assailed by an overpowering unbearable pain

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noun

1. psychoanal the Freudian defence mechanism in which an object or idea (or, alternatively, the ego) is separated into two or more parts in order to remove its threatening meaning

Other Word Forms

• antisplitting adjective

Etymology

Origin of splitting

First recorded in 1585–95; split + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The visitors' goal was alarmingly simple, with one pass from their own half splitting the Welsh midfield and defence to allow Bojan Miovski time and space in the penalty area to finish.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

To make their jumbo deals palatable to the most possible investors, big companies are splitting up their deals into more pieces than ever before.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Honeywell is splitting into two companies this year; one dedicated to automation and another to aerospace.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

He has introduced HR 7378, which proposes splitting the difference by permanently sliding the clock forward a half hour and stopping the twice-annual time change.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

I laughed so hard, it felt like my sides were splitting.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Related Words

• breakdown
• disintegration
• dissolution
• divorce
• separation
• split
• termination