divide

1 of 2

verb

di·​vide də-ˈvīd 

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

də-ˈvī-də-bəl 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• break up
• decouple
• disassociate
• disconnect
• disjoin
• disjoint
• dissever
• dissociate
• disunite
• divorce
• part
• ramify
• resolve
• separate
• sever
• split
• sunder
• uncouple
• unlink
• unyoke

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

Tribes were divided over Willow, with some fighting for the preservation of the entire western Arctic and others applauding the thousands of jobs and billions in revenue that the project promised. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2024

While several components in the package enjoy wide support, such as ending taxes on Social Security income, lawmakers were sharply divided this year over income taxes. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing divide

• digital divide
• divide and conquer
• divide and rule
• divide evenly
• great divide

Kids Definition

divide

1 of 2 verb

di·​vide də-ˈvīd 

divided; dividing

1

a

: to separate into two or more parts or pieces

b

: to separate into classes or categories

c

: cleave entry 2, part

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

b

: branch entry 2 sense 2, fork

divide

2 of 2 noun

: a dividing ridge between drainage areas : watershed

Medical Definition

divide

verb

di·​vide də-ˈvīd 

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