partition

partition

I

par‧ti‧tion¹ /pɑːˈtɪʃən $ pər-, pɑːr-/ noun1. [countable] a thin wall that separates one part of a room from another
2. [uncountable] the action of separating a country into two or more independent countries
    partition of
    the partition of India
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ wall an upright flat structure made of stone or brick, that divides one area from another or surrounds an area: The estate is surrounded by high stone walls. | a brick wall
   ▪ fence a structure made of wood, metal etc that surrounds a piece of land: The garden was surrounded by an old wooden fence. | the chain link fence around the school
   ▪ railings a metal fence that is made of a series of upright bars: the iron railings in front of the house | The boy was leaning over the railing on the side of the boat.
   ▪ barrier a type of fence or gate that prevents people from moving in a particular direction: A guard stood near the barrier. | The police had put up barriers to keep the crowd under control.
   ▪ screen a piece of furniture like a thin wall that can be moved around and is used to divide one part of a room from another: the screen around his hospital bed | a Japanese bamboo screen | a fire screen (=that you put near a fire)
   ▪ partition a thin wall that separates one part of a room from another: The room was divided into two by a thin partition. | The offices are separated by partitions and you can hear everything that is said in the next office.
   ▪ barricade a line of objects that people have put across a road, to prevent people getting past, especially as part of a protest: The soldiers used tanks to smash through the barricades.

II

partition² verb [transitive + into]to divide a country, building, or room into two or more parts
     
partition something ↔ off phrasal verb
  to divide part of a room from the rest by using a partition:
    They partitioned off part of the living room to make a study.