parts: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “parts” mean?
Multiple distinct pieces or components that together form a whole object or system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Multiple distinct pieces or components that together form a whole object or system.
A region or area (e.g., 'foreign parts'); a person's role or contribution (e.g., 'playing one's part'); a section of the hair on the head; a component in a machine; the lines spoken by an actor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Spare parts' is universal. In geographical contexts, 'parts' (e.g., 'these parts') is slightly more archaic/formal in both, but possibly retained more in AmE colloquially (e.g., 'from around these parts').
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “parts” in a Sentence
[verb] + parts: assemble/disassemble/order/replace partsparts + [preposition] + [noun]: parts of the body/car/machine[adjective] + parts: component/spare/working partsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “parts” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The crowd parts to let the ambulance through.
- He parts his hair on the left.
American English
- The clouds parted to reveal the sun.
- She parts with her old car reluctantly.
adverb
British English
- The film is part documentary, part drama.
- She is part French, part Italian.
American English
- He was part excited, part terrified.
- The project is part funded by a grant.
adjective
British English
- This is a part-time position.
- He has a part-share in the business.
American English
- She works a part-time job while studying.
- It was a part-success, part-failure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to inventory, supply chain, or components of a project/plan (e.g., 'We need to source parts from a reliable supplier.').
Academic
Used to describe sections of a theory, argument, or text (e.g., 'The study is divided into three main parts.').
Everyday
Most common for discussing objects, machines, or areas (e.g., 'I need to buy parts to fix my bike.', 'Have you visited many parts of the country?').
Technical
Specific components in engineering, computing, or biology (e.g., 'The technician replaced the faulty parts in the circuit board.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parts”
- Using a singular verb with 'parts' (Incorrect: 'This parts is broken.' Correct: 'These parts are broken.').
- Overusing 'parts' when a more specific word exists (e.g., 'ingredients' for a recipe, 'chapters' for a book).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it is most commonly used in the plural when referring to multiple physical components. The singular 'part' is used for a single section or an abstract role (e.g., 'a part of the job').
They are often synonyms, but 'components' sounds more technical and implies a functional role within a system. 'Parts' is more general and colloquial.
Yes, in phrases like 'in these parts' or 'foreign parts', it is an older but still understood usage meaning 'region' or 'area'.
It means to separate or divide ("The curtains parted"), to leave someone ("They parted ways"), or to make a parting in hair ("He parts his hair"). It is often followed by 'from' or 'with'.
Multiple distinct pieces or components that together form a whole object or system.
Parts is usually neutral in register.
Parts: in British English it is pronounced /pɑːts/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɑːrts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “part and parcel”
- “for the most part”
- “a man of parts”
- “in parts”
- “take someone's part”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a car in a PARTS shop. It's been taken apart, and all its PARTS are laid out on the floor.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANISMS/SYSTEMS ARE MACHINES WITH REPLACEABLE PARTS; IDEAS ARE OBJECTS WITH CONSTITUENT PARTS.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'He is from these parts', what does 'parts' most likely mean?