noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈskɪzəm/
/ˈsɪzəm/
/ˈʃɪzəm/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɪzəm
CMU ARPABET:S K IH1 Z AH0 M
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
A schism broke the organization into two rivals.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A movement or organization that splits off from a larger body.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
He founded a schism that eventually rivaled the original organization in size.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A formal division or split within a religious body.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: lifestyle, religion
Examples
The schism between Sunnis and Shias happened quite early in Islamic history.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A split within Christianity whereby a group is no longer in communion with the Church or its ecclesiastical authorities, but shares essentially the same beliefs; in other words, a political split without the introduction of heresy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: Eastern Orthodoxy
Topics: Catholicism, Christianity
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To split, divide (a group or organization).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
division of a group into opposing factions
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
another schism like that and they will wind up in bankruptcy
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: split
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: division
7
noun
Meaning 7
the formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rupture, breach, break, severance, rift, falling out
Narrower terms: Great Schism
History
Etymology
From Middle English scisme, from Old French cisme or scisme, from Ancient Greek σχίσμα (skhísma, “division”), from σχίζω (skhízō, “I split”). Doublet of schisma. Compare chasm. This word was historically pronounced /ˈsɪzəm/ (and still is among the clergy); the pronunciations /ˈʃɪzəm/, /ˈskɪzəm/ are due to the spelling (the latter may have been reinforced by learned influence); compare schedule.
Across languages
Translations
82 source translations are retained for this English entry.
