1 B2 neutral
To divide something into portions and give each portion to a different person or purpose.
"After the founder's death, the estate was parcelled out among the four children in his will."
separable
parcel out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To divide something into portions and distribute them among several people or uses.
In plain English
Split something into separate parts and give each part to different people.
What does "parcel out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To assign tasks or responsibilities to different people in separate portions.
"The project manager parcelled out the research tasks among the team members according to their strengths."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To divide something into parcels and distribute them — fairly transparent.
Actually means
Split something into separate parts and give each part to different people.
Usage tip
Often used for land, resources, money, or responsibilities. Can imply careful or deliberate division. Slightly formal in tone.
Words that pair with "parcel out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
land resources money tasks responsibilities territory
How to conjugate "parcel out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
parcel out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
parcels out
he/she/it
Past simple
parceled out
yesterday
Past participle
parceled out
have + pp
-ing form
parceling out
continuous
Hear "parcel out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "parcel out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "parcel out"
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