Use the str.split method:
>>> "MATCHES__STRING".split("__")
['MATCHES', 'STRING']
W3Schools
w3schools.com › python › ref_string_split.asp
Python String split() Method
Python Examples Python Compiler ... Study Plan Python Interview Q&A Python Bootcamp Python Training ... The split() method splits a string into a list....
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › python › python-string-split
Python split() Method - GeeksforGeeks
4 weeks ago - DSA Python · Data Science · NumPy · Pandas · Practice · Django · Flask · Last Updated : 1 Jul, 2026 · split() method is used to divide a string into multiple parts based on a specified separator.
Trying to understand string split()
When you're calling split() (without arguments) the split will be done on any number of spaces. It is not the same as calling split(' '). '-a-b'.split('-') # returns ['', 'a', 'b'] ' a b'.split(' ') # returns ['', 'a', 'b'] ' a b'.split() # returns ['a', 'b'] More on reddit.com
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0
January 31, 2024Split a string by a delimiter in Python - Stack Overflow
Consider the following input string: 'MATCHES__STRING' I want to split that string wherever the "delimiter" __ occurs. This should output a list of strings: ['MATCHES', 'STRING'] To spli... More on stackoverflow.com
python - Split Strings into words with multiple word boundary delimiters - Stack Overflow
I think what I want to do is a fairly common task but I've found no reference on the web. I have text with punctuation, and I want a list of the words. "Hey, you - what are you doing here!?" shou... More on stackoverflow.com
Split string with multiple delimiters in Python - Stack Overflow
I found some answers online, but I have no experience with regular expressions, which I believe is what is needed here. I have a string that needs to be split by either a ';' or ', ' That is, it h... More on stackoverflow.com
01:49
The string "split" method in Python - YouTube
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Using the Split Method in Python to Break Text Up Into Words - YouTube
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How to Split Strings in Python With the split() Method - YouTube
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Beginner Python #3.2 - String Basics - The Split Method - YouTube
CodeSignal
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Python - Splitting and Joining Strings Like a Pro!
Splitting breaks a string into substrings. Python simplifies this task using the split() method.
Mimo
mimo.org › glossary › python › string-split-method
Learn Python's String Split Method, Simplify Text Processing
Master Python's split() method to divide strings into lists with ease. Explore examples for data parsing, text tokenization, and file processing effectively.
Python Reference
python-reference.readthedocs.io › en › latest › docs › str › split.html
split — Python Reference (The Right Way) 0.1 documentation
returns [‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’]). Splitting an empty string with a specified separator returns [‘’].
Python
docs.python.org › 3.3 › library › stdtypes.html
4. Built-in Types — Python 3.3.7 documentation
Split the string at the first occurrence of sep, and return a 3-tuple containing the part before the separator, the separator itself, and the part after the separator.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnpython › trying to understand string split()
r/learnpython on Reddit: Trying to understand string split()
January 31, 2024 -
Hi,
I am unable to wrap my head around how string split() works in Python. Consider the following examples:
‘/‘.split(‘/‘) # Outputs [‘’, ‘’]
‘ a b ‘.split() # Outputs [‘a’, ‘b’]
I was expecting the second example to return [‘’, ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘’]. Why does split() omit the empty strings in the output list?
Top answer 1 of 2
7
When you're calling split() (without arguments) the split will be done on any number of spaces. It is not the same as calling split(' '). '-a-b'.split('-') # returns ['', 'a', 'b'] ' a b'.split(' ') # returns ['', 'a', 'b'] ' a b'.split() # returns ['a', 'b']
2 of 2
3
When you don't provide an argument to split, like in your second example, it defaults to splitting by space. So, it removes all spaces, takes what's between them, and returns that as a list. You gave it a, b, and a bunch of spaces, so by default it returned a list with all elements split by space.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
🐍 Python Tutorial #27: Splitting and Joining Strings - YouTube
In this quick Python tutorial, we cover two essential string methods: split() and join().You’ll learn:✅ How to use split() to turn strings into lists✅ How to...
Published June 29, 2025
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Python String Splitting: String Basics & Using the .split() Method: Fundamentals - YouTube
This is a preview of the video course, "Python String Splitting". Python’s .split() method lets you divide a string into a list of substrings based on a spec...
Published September 11, 2025
Top answer 1 of 6
420
Use the str.split method:
>>> "MATCHES__STRING".split("__")
['MATCHES', 'STRING']
2 of 6
5
Besides split and rsplit, there is partition/rpartition. It separates string once, but the way question was asked, it may apply as well.
Example:
>>> "MATCHES__STRING".partition("__")
('MATCHES', '__', 'STRING')
>>> "MATCHES__STRING".partition("__")[::2]
('MATCHES', 'STRING')
And a bit faster then split("_",1):
$ python -m timeit "'validate_field_name'.split('_', 1)[-1]"
2000000 loops, best of 5: 136 nsec per loop
$ python -m timeit "'validate_field_name'.partition('_')[-1]"
2000000 loops, best of 5: 108 nsec per loop
Timeit lines are based on this answer
Python
docs.python.org › 3.6 › library › stdtypes.html
4. Built-in Types — Python 3.6.15 documentation
Split the string at the first occurrence of sep, and return a 3-tuple containing the part before the separator, the separator itself, and the part after the separator.
Top answer 1 of 16
737
re.split()
re.split(pattern, string[, maxsplit=0])
Split string by the occurrences of pattern. If capturing parentheses are used in pattern, then the text of all groups in the pattern are also returned as part of the resulting list. If maxsplit is nonzero, at most maxsplit splits occur, and the remainder of the string is returned as the final element of the list. (Incompatibility note: in the original Python 1.5 release, maxsplit was ignored. This has been fixed in later releases.)
>>> re.split('\W+', 'Words, words, words.')
['Words', 'words', 'words', '']
>>> re.split('(\W+)', 'Words, words, words.')
['Words', ', ', 'words', ', ', 'words', '.', '']
>>> re.split('\W+', 'Words, words, words.', 1)
['Words', 'words, words.']
2 of 16
553
A case where regular expressions are justified:
import re
DATA = "Hey, you - what are you doing here!?"
print re.findall(r"[\w']+", DATA)
# Prints ['Hey', 'you', 'what', 'are', 'you', 'doing', 'here']
Hyperskill
hyperskill.org › university › python › split-in-python
Python split(): Split Strings by Delimiter with Examples
June 5, 2026 - To use the split() function, provide the delimiter as an argument within the parentheses. The delimiter can be any character or substring that you want to use as a separator. The function searches for occurrences of the delimiter within the string and breaks it down at each occurrence. # Using whitespace as a delimiter text = "Hello World! Welcome to Python!" result = text.split() print(result) # Output: ['Hello', 'World!', 'Welcome', 'to', 'Python!'] # Using a comma as a delimiter fruits = "apple,banana,orange" result = fruits.split(",") print(result) # Output: ['apple', 'banana', 'orange']
University of Pittsburgh
sites.pitt.edu › ~naraehan › python3 › split_join.html
Python 3 Notes: Split and Join
Python 3 Notes [ HOME | LING 1330/2330 ] Splitting and Joining Strings <<Previous Note Next Note >> On this page: .split(), .join(), and list(). Splitting a Sentence into Words: .split() Below, mary is a single string. Even though it is a sentence, the words are not represented as discreet units.
Medium
medium.com › @sami.hamdiapps › python-split-string-a-comprehensive-guide-4ac16842bed4
Python Split String: A Comprehensive Guide | by Sami Hamdi | Medium
September 4, 2023 - In scenarios involving large strings or frequent string splitting operations, optimizing performance is paramount. Profiling your code and contemplating optimizations, such as employing generators or precompiled regular expressions, can bestow significant speed enhancements. Python’s string splitting prowess, epitomized by the versatile split() method and the formidable capabilities of regular expressions, equips you with the tools to handle a wide spectrum of string manipulation tasks.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Learn Python Split Function in 3 minutes - YouTube
Let's learn how to use the Python split function.The split() method splits a string into a list. You can specify the separator, default separator is any whit...
Published April 9, 2025
Medium
medium.com › @huasa0115 › python-how-to-use-string-split-method-ee77458839d8
[Python] How to use String split() method? | by Yi-Ning Huang | Medium
July 16, 2025 - It splits on any sequence of whitespace characters (spaces, tabs, newlines) and it automatically removes leading/ trailing whitespaces. Extra spaces between words are treated as one separator. ... Data & Analytics Engineer in US healthcare. Writing about SQL, Python, PySpark, and the healthcare meaning behind the data.
Real Python
realpython.com › python-split-string
How to Split a String in Python – Real Python
November 4, 2024 - The .split() method in Python is a versatile tool that allows you to divide a string into a list of substrings based on a specified delimiter. By default, .split() separates a string at each occurrence of whitespace, which includes spaces, tabs, ...
Top answer 1 of 5
1341
Luckily, Python has this built-in :)
import re
# Regex pattern splits on substrings "; " and ", "
re.split('; |, ', string_to_split)
Update:
Following your comment:
>>> string_to_split = 'Beautiful, is; better*than\nugly'
>>> import re
>>> re.split('; |, |\*|\n', string_to_split)
['Beautiful', 'is', 'better', 'than', 'ugly']
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530
Do a str.replace('; ', ', ') and then a str.split(', ')
Server Academy
serveracademy.com › blog › python-string-split-method
Python String split(): Split Strings the Right Way Blog | Server Academy
1 week ago - Python string split guide: master str.split() for whitespace, commas, maxsplit, rsplit, splitlines, and multiple delimiters, with verified code examples.