division

noun

di·​vi·​sion də-ˈvi-zhən How to pronounce division (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided
b
: the act, process, or an instance of distributing among a number : distribution
2
: one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is divided or is divisible
3
: the condition or an instance of being divided in opinion or interest : disagreement, disunity
exploited the divisions between the two countries
4
a
: something that divides, separates, or marks off
b
: the act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart : separation
5
: the mathematical operation of dividing something
6
a
: a self-contained major military unit capable of independent action
b
: a tactical military unit composed of headquarters and usually three to five brigades
c(1)
: the basic naval administrative unit
(2)
: a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships
d
: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a wing and lower than an air force
7
a
: a portion of a territorial unit marked off for a particular purpose (such as administrative or judicial functions)
b
: an administrative or operating unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
8
: the physical separation into different lobbies of the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question
9
: plant propagation by dividing parts and planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots
10
: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group
specifically : a primary category of the plant kingdom in biological taxonomy that is typically equivalent to a phylum
11
: a competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling)
divisional
də-ˈvizh-nəl How to pronounce division (audio)
-ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl
adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for division

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole.

part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Examples of division in a Sentence

the process of cell division a division of profits into equal shares After learning multiplication, the students were taught division.
Recent Examples on the Web Amazon, of course, does not have its own news division, so the special will combine some familiar elements like real-time poll results and commentary, while also referencing third-party news sources across all political affiliations. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Oct. 2024 Biology is used, not to draw attention to what all humans have in common, but instead to manufacture artificial divisions. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 From corporate suites to studio lots, Hollywood is bracing for a possible Trump return, one that could bring chaos and deepen political divisions in a polarized country. Brent Lang, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024 This division often results in a lack of collaboration, causing the employer brand to be deprioritized. Toyna Chin, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for division 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'division.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French devision, from Latin division-, divisio, from dividere to divide

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of division was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near division

Cite this Entry

“Division.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/division. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

division

noun
di·​vi·​sion də-ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce division (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided
2
: a part or portion of a whole
3
: something that divides, separates, or marks off
4
: a large military unit
5
: a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
6
: difference in opinion or interest : disagreement
7
: the mathematical operation of dividing something
8
: a category in most classifications of the plant kingdom that is equal to a phylum
divisional adjective

Medical Definition

division

noun
di·​vi·​sion də-ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce division (audio)
1
: the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided see cell division
2
: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group
specifically : a primary category of the plant kingdom that is typically equivalent to a phylum
divisional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on division

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