partition
par-TISH-un
/pɑːˈtɪʃ.ən/
The division of a country or territory into separate political units or distinct administrative parts.
Usually implies an official, imposed, or negotiated division of land into separate states.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'partitio', meaning a division or portioning out. It entered Middle English to describe physical wall dividers and later applied to geopolitical boundaries.
Word relationships
- division: Division is a general word, whereas partition specifically denotes formal political splitting of land.
- fragmentation: Fragmentation suggests chaotic breaking into small pieces, while partition often describes a structured division.
- unification: Unification brings divided regions back into a single political entity.
- reunification: Reunification restores political unity to formerly partitioned territories.
Commonly confused with
- balkanization: Partition is often an agreed or deliberate division into two or few states; balkanization implies hostile, chaotic fragmentation into many small states.
Word family
- partitioned (adjective): Divided into distinct parts.
Collocations
- partition of the country
- territorial partition
- partition plan
- violent partition
Example sentences
- "The 1947 partition of British India resulted in the immediate creation of the sovereign nations of India and Pakistan." World History
Memory hook
PART-ition means splitting a nation into separate PARTS. Dividing land into separate parts.
When not to use
Do not confuse with internal administrative redistricting that does not create distinct political jurisdictions.
Fun facts
- The Partition of Poland in the late 18th century wiped Poland off the map for over 120 years until 1918.
Related words
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