Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of dividing or separating something into parts: "Partition" refers to the action of creating divisions or separations, often by establishing a boundary.
   • A physical structure that divides a space: A "partition" is a vertical structure, like a wall or screen, that separates one area from another within a room or building.
   • (Anatomy) A structure that separates areas in an organism: In biology, a "partition" is a membrane or tissue wall that divides a cavity or organ.
   • (Computer Science) A dedicated section of a hard disk: In computing, a "partition" is a logical division of a storage device, treated as a separate unit by an operating system.

2. Verb:

   • To divide or separate something into sections: To "partition" means to divide an area, object, or group into distinct parts.
   • To separate by or as if by a physical barrier: To "partition" often involves creating a division, such as putting up a wall to separate one room from another.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The partition of the country led to decades of conflict. (The act of dividing the country led to decades of conflict.)
  • We put up a temporary partition to create a private office space. (We erected a temporary dividing wall to create a private office space.)
  • The nasal septum is a cartilaginous partition. (The nasal septum is a cartilaginous dividing structure.)
  • I created a new partition on my hard drive for the backup files. (I created a new dedicated section on my hard drive for the backup files.)

• Verb:

  • The large hall was partitioned into several smaller meeting rooms. (The large hall was divided into several smaller meeting rooms.)
  • They decided to partition the disputed territory. (They decided to divide the disputed territory.)

Advanced Usage

• "To partition off": To separate a section of a room or area using a partition.
  • We partitioned off a corner of the warehouse for storage. (We separated a corner of the warehouse for storage using a divider.)

Variants and Related Words

• Partitioning (n): The action or process of dividing something into parts.
  • The partitioning of the estate was a complex legal process.
• Partitioned (adj): Describing something that has been divided by partitions.
  • The partitioned office allowed for more individual workspaces.

Synonyms

• Division: The action of separating something into parts.
• Separation: The process of moving or being moved apart.
• Barrier: A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.
• Screen: A fixed or movable upright partition used to divide a room, give shelter, or provide concealment.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Partition off: As shown in "Advanced Usage," this phrasal verb specifically means to separate an area using a physical divider.
  • They partitioned off the kitchen from the living room. (They separated the kitchen from the living room with a divider.)

Related Idioms

• No direct common idioms are based solely on the word "partition." The word is typically used in its literal or technical senses.

Noun

1. the act of dividing or partitioning; separation by the creation of a boundary that divides or keeps apart
2. (anatomy) a structure that separates areas in an organism
3. (computer science) the part of a hard disk that is dedicated to a particular operating system or application and accessed as a single unit
4. a vertical structure that divides or separates (as a wall divides one room from another)

Verb

1. separate or apportion into sections
   • partition a room off
2. divide into parts, pieces, or sections
   • The Arab peninsula was partitioned by the British