schism

Everyday

1. (church) A schism is a split in which a religious group divides into two separate groups because of disagreements. tree →
2. (formal) Any serious split between members of a group. tree →

In the lessons

In history and religious education the Great Schism split the Church into the Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East; the Reformation caused further schisms. In formal writing a club or political party can have a schism. Phrases: «the Great Schism», «a schism in the church», «cause a schism».

Examples

• The Great Schism divided the Christian Church into East and West. tree →
• The argument caused a schism in the chess club. tree →
• A schism split the party into two groups. tree →
• Historians study why the schism happened. tree →
• The schism lasted for hundreds of years. tree →
• The new rule led to a schism among the members. tree →
• Christians today try to heal old schisms. tree →

Note

Countable, formal. Pronunciation: SKIZ-um or SIZ-um, both are used. Adjective: schismatic. Similar: split, division, rift.