Part vs. Portion: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Part" refers to a piece or segment of a whole, while "portion" specifically denotes a part allocated or served, often with a connotation of quantity.
Key Differences
"Part" implies a segment or element of something larger, such as in "She played a part in the project." In contrast, "portion" often refers to a specific, allocated part, especially in terms of quantity or serving, like "He ate a large portion of the cake."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
While "part" can denote a role or function in a larger context, as in "He has a part in the decision-making process," "portion" generally signifies a subdivided part of something, often with an implication of measurement, such as "A portion of the profits will be donated."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
"Part" is used in a broader sense, applicable to various contexts, including mechanical, physical, or abstract, as seen in "Parts of the machine need replacement." Conversely, "portion" is often associated with food, land, or resources, emphasizing the idea of division, like "A portion of the land was sold."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
"Part" can be used to describe a component of a physical object or an aspect of a non-tangible concept, like "Trust is an essential part of a relationship." On the other hand, "portion" tends to be more concrete and quantifiable, such as "He received his portion of the inheritance."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
In summary, "part" is a more versatile term for segments or elements of a whole, while "portion" is more specific to allocated or measured segments, particularly in contexts of distribution or serving.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A piece or segment of a whole
A part allocated or served, with quantity connotation
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Nov 22, 2023
Usage
Broad, various contexts
Specific, often with measurement or allocation
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Nov 22, 2023
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Part and Portion Definitions
Part
Component of Object
This part of the engine is faulty. (Piece of machinery)
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Nov 22, 2023
Portion
Part of Inheritance
Her portion of the estate was significant. (Share of inheritance)
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Nov 22, 2023
Part
Fraction of Group
A part of the audience clapped. (Subset of a larger group)
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Nov 22, 2023
Portion
Fraction of Earnings
A portion of my salary goes into savings. (Part of income allocated)
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Nov 22, 2023
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Part
Any of several equal portions or fractions that can constitute a whole or into which a whole can be divided
A mixture of two parts flour to one part sugar.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
A division of a book or artistic work such as a film
A novel in three parts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Part
An organ, member, or other division of an organism
A tail is not a part of a guinea pig.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
A component that can be separated from or attached to a system; a detachable piece
Spare parts for cars.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Often parts A region, area, land, or territory
"Minding your own business is second nature in these parts" (Boston).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
One's responsibility, duty, or obligation; share
We each do our part to keep the house clean.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
The part of an estate given or falling to a child or heir; an inheritance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
(transitive) To divide into amounts, as for allocation to specific purposes.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To divide into two or more parts; split
The ship's prow parted the waves.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To break up the relationship or association of
A dispute over ownership parted the founders of the business.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To comb (hair, for example) away from a dividing line, as on the scalp.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
A part considered by itself, though not actually cut off or separated from the whole.
These are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him!
Portions and parcels of the dreadful past.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
A part assigned; allotment; share; fate.
The lord of that servant . . . will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
Man's portion is to die and rise again.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
The part of an estate given to a child or heir, or descending to him by law, and distributed to him in the settlement of the estate; an inheritance.
Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
To separate or divide into portions or shares; to parcel; to distribute.
And portion to his tribes the wide domain.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
To endow with a portion or inheritance.
Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To go away from another; depart
She parted from him at college graduation.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
Something determined in relation to something that includes it;
He wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself
I read a portion of the manuscript
The smaller component is hard to reach
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
Something less than the whole of a human artifact;
The rear part of the house
Glue the two parts together
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To separate or divide into ways going in different directions
The road parts about halfway into the forest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Portion
The result of parcelling out or sharing;
Death gets more than its share of attention from theologicans
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Oct 19, 2023
Part
To disagree or stop associating because of a disagreement
The committee parted over the issue of pay raises for employees.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
Assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group;
He wanted his share in cash
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
An individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal;
The helpings were all small
His portion was larger than hers
There's enough for two servings each
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Portion
Allocated Quantity
I only need a small portion of sugar. (Measured amount)
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Part
A distinct element of something larger.
The parts of a chainsaw include the chain, engine, and handle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Portion
Share of Whole
They divided the land into equal portions. (Segment of property)
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Nov 22, 2023
Portion
Food Serving
Each guest received a portion of cake. (Piece of food served)
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Part
A unit of relative proportion in a mixture.
The mixture comprises one part sodium hydroxide and ten parts water.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
(music) The melody played or sung by a particular instrument, voice, or group of instruments or voices, within a polyphonic piece.
The first violin part in this concerto is very challenging.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
(US) The dividing line formed by combing the hair in different directions.
The part of his hair was slightly to the left.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
(Judaism) In the Hebrew lunisolar calendar, a unit of time equivalent to 3⅓ seconds.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
A constituent of character or capacity; quality; faculty; talent; usually in the plural with a collective sense.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
(intransitive) To be divided in two or separated; shed.
A rope parts.
His hair parts in the middle.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To separate or disunite; to remove from contact or contiguity; to sunder.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion.
To part gold from silver
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which anything is divided, or regarded as divided; something less than a whole; a number, quantity, mass, or the like, regarded as going to make up, with others, a larger number, quantity, mass, etc., whether actually separate or not; a piece; a fragment; a fraction; a division; a member; a constituent.
And kept back part of the price, . . . and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles'feet.
Our ideas of extension and number - do they not contain a secret relation of the parts ?
I am a part of all that I have met.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
An equal constituent portion; one of several or many like quantities, numbers, etc., into which anything is divided, or of which it is composed; proportional division or ingredient.
An homer is the tenth part of an ephah.
A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom,And ever three parts coward.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
A constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole; a member; an organ; an essential element.
All the parts were formed . . . into one harmonious body.
The pulse, the glow of every part.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
That which belongs to one, or which is assumed by one, or which falls to one, in a division or apportionment; share; portion; lot; interest; concern; duty; office.
We have no part in David.
Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part;Do thou but thine.
Let me bearMy part of danger with an equal share.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
A constituent of character or capacity; quality; faculty; talent; - usually in the plural with a collective sense.
Which maintained so politic a state of evil, that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or a controversy; a faction.
For he that is not against us is on our part.
Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Quarter; region; district; - usually in the plural.
All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and fears.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
A particular character in a drama or a play; an assumed personification; also, the language, actions, and influence of a character or an actor in a play; or, figuratively, in real life; as, to play the part of Macbeth. See To act a part, under Act.
That partWas aptly fitted and naturally performed.
It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf.
Honor and shame from no condition rise;Act well your part, there all the honor lies.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Such portion of any quantity, as when taken a certain number of times, will exactly make that quantity; as, 3 is a part of 12; - the opposite of multiple. Also, a line or other element of a geometrical figure.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
One of the different melodies of a concerted composition, which heard in union compose its harmony; also, the music for each voice or instrument; as, the treble, tenor, or bass part; the violin part, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To divide; to separate into distinct parts; to break into two or more parts or pieces; to sever.
There, [celestial love] parted into rainbow hues.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To divide into shares; to divide and distribute; to allot; to apportion; to share.
To part his throne, and share his heaven with thee.
They parted my raiment among them.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To separate or disunite; to cause to go apart; to remove from contact or contiguity; to sunder.
The Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.
While he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
The narrow seas that partThe French and English.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To hold apart; to stand between; to intervene betwixt, as combatants.
The stumbling night did part our weary powers.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion; as, to part gold from silver.
The liver minds his own affair, . . .And parts and strains the vital juices.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To separate (a collection of objects) into smaller collections; as, to part one's hair in the middle.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To be broken or divided into parts or pieces; to break; to become separated; to go asunder; as, rope parts; his hair parts in the middle.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To go away; to depart; to take leave; to quit each other; hence, to die; - often with from.
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.
He owned that he had parted from the duke only a few hours before.
His precious bag, which he would by no means part from.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
To perform an act of parting; to relinquish a connection of any kind; - followed by with or from; as, to part with one's money.
Celia, for thy sake, I partWith all that grew so near my heart.
Powerful hands . . . will not partEasily from possession won with arms.
It was strange to him that a father should feel no tenderness at parting with an only son.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Something determined in relation to something that includes it;
He wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself
I read a portion of the manuscript
The smaller component is hard to reach
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
The extended spatial location of something;
The farming regions of France
Religions in all parts of the world
Regions of outer space
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
So far as concerns the actor specified;
It requires vigilance on our part
They resisted every effort on his part
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Something less than the whole of a human artifact;
The rear part of the house
Glue the two parts together
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
One of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole;
The written part of the exam
The finance section of the company
The BBC's engineering division
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
The actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group;
The function of a teacher
The government must do its part
Play its role
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
A portion of a natural object;
They analyzed the river into three parts
He needed a piece of granite
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
An actor's portrayal of someone in a play;
She played the part of Desdemona
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group;
He wanted his share in cash
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Any one of a number of individual efforts in a common endeavor;
I am proud of my contribution to the team's success
They all did their share of the work
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
The melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music;
He tried to sing the tenor part
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Discontinue an association or relation; go different ways;
The business partners broke over a tax question
The couple separated after 25 years of marriage
My friend and I split up
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Force, take, or pull apart;
He separated the fighting children
Moses parted the Red Sea
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
In part; in some degree; not wholly;
I felt partly to blame
He was partially paralyzed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Part
Role in Activity
She played a key part in the negotiations. (Contribution to an event)
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Nov 22, 2023
Part
Aspect of Concept
Listening is an important part of communication. (Element of a process)
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Nov 22, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "part" be used in abstract contexts?
Yes, "part" can be used abstractly, as in "part of the reason."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does "part" generally mean?
"Part" refers to a piece or segment of something that is less than the whole.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
How is "portion" commonly used?
"Portion" typically means a part of something, especially in reference to an amount or section of food.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
How does "part" function in a sentence?
"Part" can be a noun ("a part of the team") or a verb ("to part ways").
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "portion" specific to food?
While often used for food, "portion" can also refer to any part or division of a larger whole.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "part" refer to a role or function?
Yes, as in "She played a significant part in the project."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "portion" used in legal terms?
Yes, it's often used in legal contexts to refer to a part of an estate or inheritance.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Does "portion" imply a specific size?
Not necessarily. The size of a "portion" is relative and depends on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does "for my part" mean?
It means 'as far as I am concerned' or 'in my opinion.'
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "part" used in mechanical contexts?
Yes, referring to components of a machine, like "car parts."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does "take part" mean?
It means to participate or be involved in something.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "portion" have a financial context?
Yes, like allocating a portion of funds for a specific purpose.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "portion" commonly used in everyday speech?
Yes, particularly in reference to food or dividing things.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "portion" formal or informal?
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does "part ways" mean?
It means to go in different directions, often after a disagreement.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Does "portion" always refer to physical things?
No, it can be used abstractly, like "a portion of blame."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
How is "part" used in expressions?
Commonly in phrases like "part and parcel" or "on my part."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Does "part" imply a fraction of something?
Yes, it generally signifies a segment of a larger whole.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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