Entry Word: division

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 something that divides, separates, or marks off <we poked our heads over the division between the yards to see what the fuss was about>

Synonyms divider, partition

Related Words barrier, fence, wall; border, boundary, limit

2 a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization <the complaints division handled all of the calls from the angry townsfolk>

Synonyms bureau, department, desk, office

3 one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic <one of the major divisions of birds> — see class 2
4 the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces <the assembly line was a major development in the division of labor among workers> — see separation 1
5 the act or process of giving out something to each member of a group <the person in charge of the division of the profits among the business partners> — see distribution 1