diff --git a/Lib/shlex.py b/Lib/shlex.py
index 195dc12bbce95e..48e31f4799b447 100644
--- a/Lib/shlex.py
+++ b/Lib/shlex.py
@@ -302,6 +302,7 @@ def __next__(self):
         return token
 
 def split(s, comments=False, posix=True):
+    """Split the string *s* using shell-like syntax."""
     lex = shlex(s, posix=posix)
     lex.whitespace_split = True
     if not comments: