divided

1 of 2

adjective

di·​vid·​ed də-ˈvī-dəd 

1

a

: separated into parts or pieces

b

of a leaf : cut into distinct parts by incisions extending to the base or to the midrib

c

: having a barrier (such as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions

a divided highway

2

a

: disagreeing with each other : disunited

b

: directed or moved toward conflicting interests, states, or objects

divided loyalties

3

: separated by distance

… familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided.

—James Joyce

dividedly

də-ˈvī-dəd-lē 

adverb

dividedness

də-ˈvī-dəd-nəs 

noun

divided

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of divide entry 1

Synonyms of divided

Adjective

• split

Examples of divided in a Sentence

Adjective

Experts are sharply divided on the issue.

The issue has created a deeply divided nation.

She feels like she only gets her mother's divided attention.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That power to bring people together is at the heart of what makes the Contest so special, and is even more important now in an increasingly difficult and divided world. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

Their already fractured opposition has become even more divided in the country’s south, particularly after a Saudi rift with the United Arab Emirates in late 2025 led the latter to withdraw its support for anti-Houthi forces in the south altogether. — Mahad D. Darar, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

But there are divided opinions, with some tech leaders bristling at the idea that their companies could not ensure safety on their own. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

When a bus is stopped in a divided highway by a dirt, grass, or barrier median, then vehicles behind the bus must stop, while motorists traveling in the opposite direction can continue driving but must use caution. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing divided

• divided highway
• divided loyalty

Rhymes for divided

• abided
• collided
• confided
• decided
• derided
• elided
• lopsided
• misguided
• nitrided
• presided
• provided
• resided

Kids Definition

divided

adjective

1

a

: separated into parts or pieces

b

: having a barrier (as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions

a divided highway

2

: disagreeing with each other

divided over the issue

Legal Definition

divided

adjective

di·​vid·​ed

1

a

: separated into parts, classes, or portions

divided coverage

divided custody

b

in the civil law of Louisiana : separately owned, possessed, or held : no longer held in indivision

owner of a divided part or of the entire estate following partition

—Louisiana Civil Code

granted in divided portions

2

: not united : failing to agree

a divided Court