When something splits, it divides into separate sections. It’s also common to use "split" when forming groups of people, or when a relationship breaks up.
simple
past
past participle
split
split
split
Jennifer and her husband, Charles, are going to split up. (They’re getting a divorce.)
The teacher split the class up into four groups. Each group had five people in it.
When Rhonda and Mary went out for lunch, they split the bill in half. (Each person paid half)
Rescuers split up into several groups as they searched for survivors of the avalanche.
Bags of rice were split among the people who came to pick them up.
You can split a log in half by using an axe.
Use an axe to split a log.
There are some other interesting ways to use this word:
When George bent over, he split his pants. (A large tear appeared in the seat.)
After this next song, let’s split. (split = leave; go somewhere else.)
A new split-level home is being built in our neighborhood. (split-level home = four or five different levels)
Terry ordered a banana split when she went to Dairy Queen. (A banana split is vanilla ice cream with chocolate, pineapple, and strawberry toppings. There’s a banana split in half on either side of the ice cream.)
Use an axe to split a log.