divide

1 of 2

verb

di·​vide də-ˈvīd How to pronounce divide (audio)
divided; dividing

transitive verb

1
a
: to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups
divide the city into wards
b
: to separate into classes, categories, or divisions
divide history into epochs
c
: cleave, part
a ship dividing the waves
2
a
: to separate into portions and give out in shares : distribute
divide profits
b
: to possess, enjoy, or make use of in common
divide the blame
c
: apportion
divides her time between the office and home
3
a
: to cause to be separate, distinct, or apart from one another
fields divided by stone walls
b
: to separate into opposing sides or parties
the issues that divide us
c
: to cause (a parliamentary body) to vote by division
4
a
: to subject (a number or quantity) to the operation of finding how many times it contains another number or quantity
divide 42 by 14
b
: to be used as a divisor with respect to (a dividend)
4 divides 16 evenly
c
: to use as a divisor
used with into
divide 14 into 42

intransitive verb

1
: to perform mathematical division
2
a(1)
: to undergo replication, multiplication, fission, or separation into parts
(2)
: to branch out
b
: to become separated or disunited especially in opinion or interest
dividable adjective

divide

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act of dividing
2
a
: a dividing ridge between drainage areas
b
: a point or line of division or disagreement
Choose the Right Synonym for divide

separate, part, divide, sever, sunder, divorce mean to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed.

separate may imply any of several causes such as dispersion, removal of one from others, or presence of an intervening thing.

separated her personal life from her career

part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group.

distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Examples of divide in a Sentence

Verb She divided the pie into eight pieces. The equator divides the Earth into two hemispheres. The river divides after the bridge. A tall fence divides the two yards.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The Women by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press: $30) An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 In the 18th century, Europeans were divided on whether girls should be educated. E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 The students were divided into four teams, with each team charge to find a muse/collaborator within their respective category — to ensure primary research and a meaningful outcome. Lyn Slater, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 In 2022, the Republican Senate candidate, Blake Masters, also divided his resources ahead of an August primary attacking fellow Republicans while Kelly continued to press his message on TV and other screens. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 Following his death, the farmlands were divided into smaller bits, and by the turn of the 20th century, a village started to form. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Opinion was divided as to whether Altman was sincerely complimenting Yudkowsky or trolling him, given that accelerating A.G.I. is, by Yudkowsky’s lights, the worst thing a person can possibly do. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Victoria spent most of her days at home, dividing her time between her remote job working in operations for a California hair salon franchise, and taking care of their young sons. Kate Talerico, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2024 It is calculated by dividing the share price by the earnings per share for the trailing 12 months. Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
The issue of homelessness, drug addiction, mental health issues, and criminal activity cuts across traditional partisan divides. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024 The State of the Union illuminated the stark divide between Democrats and Republicans. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 9 Mar. 2024 President Joe Biden is looking to bridge the divide between himself and supporters of Nikki Haley. Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Without the stark ideological divides of the Cold War, countries in other regions will remain on the sidelines. Max Bergmann, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2024 Political experts said the rural-coastal divide reflects long-term trends as the country has become more polarized. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Visualization can be a valuable tool to bridge this divide, providing a common language for communication, understanding and collaboration. Barbara Wittmann, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 By taking us back to the 1930s, a time of significant racial divide in America, Washington tells the story of how a small African American college team in Texas worked its way to the national championship and challenge Harvard. Travis Bean, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 In both cases, there were significant partisan divides. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'divide.' 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

Verb

Middle English, from Latin dividere, from dis- + -videre to separate — more at widow

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near divide

Cite this Entry

“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

divide

1 of 2 verb
di·​vide də-ˈvīd How to pronounce divide (audio)
divided; dividing
1
a
: to separate into two or more parts or pieces
b
: to separate into classes or categories
2
a
: to give out in shares
b
: to own or use in common : share
3
: to cause to be separate, different, or apart from one another
4
a
: to perform or use in mathematical division
b
: to subject (a number) to the operation of finding how many times it contains another number
divide 42 by 14
c
: to use as a divisor
divide 14 into 42
5
a
: to undergo cell division
the cell divides

divide

2 of 2 noun
: a dividing ridge between drainage areas : watershed

Medical Definition

divide

verb
di·​vide də-ˈvīd How to pronounce divide (audio)
divided; dividing

transitive verb

: to separate into two or more parts
divide a nerve surgically

intransitive verb

: to undergo replication, multiplication, fission, or separation into parts
actively dividing cells

More from Merriam-Webster on divide

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