What does repartition mean?
Repartition means to divide, distribute, or allocate something again, usually into different parts or in a new arrangement. As a verb, it can describe revising the division of work, resources, or responsibility, as when a committee repartitions a budget. In political and electoral contexts, it refers more specifically to changing how representation or districts are arranged, often following a population census or a political settlement. The word is formal and less common than redistribution or reallocation, but it is especially useful when the emphasis is on making a revised division rather than merely transferring something. Its history is straightforward: the prefix re- means “again,” while partition comes from Latin roots connected with dividing or distributing into parts. The related noun refers to the revised division or distribution itself.
To divide or distribute something again, especially in a different way.
"The authorities repartitioned the funding among the local districts."
Formal; particularly common in political and administrative contexts.
The act of dividing or distributing something again; a new division or distribution.
"The proposed repartition of the seats would give the northern province more representation."
Often used in discussions of electoral districts, representation, resources, or administrative responsibilities.
Used when referring to multiple revised divisions, distributions, or arrangements.
"Several repartitions of the committee's budget were proposed."
Repartition is the political art of redrawing the map of influence, so the same population can receive a very different share of representation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repartition come from?
Repartition combines the English prefix re-, meaning “again,” with partition, a word derived from Latin partitionem, from partiri, “to divide or separate.” The compound therefore literally conveys a second dividing or rearrangement into parts. Its development follows the English history of partition, which has long been used for legal, political, and territorial divisions. Its close linguistic relatives include part, portion, proportion, and partite.
Related word forms
How repartition is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon. In electoral contexts, it is especially associated with redistricting and reapportionment; elsewhere, it describes any second or revised division or allocation.
Easily confused with repartition
A partition is an existing division or the act of dividing something, whereas a repartition divides or distributes something again, often in a different way.