divided

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

Synonyms of divided

• split

Examples of divided in a Sentence

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

But the peace forged at Dayton bound Bosnia in a straitjacket that has kept it divided since. —Adis Maksić, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025

Its members—which now include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates—are too divided to turn the group into a real challenge to Washington. —Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025

When three-time Grammy Award winner Bad Bunny was announced as the headliner for the next Super Bowl LX halftime show, the public’s reaction was fast and divided. —Denny Alfonso, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025

Options included conveying it to CWI, selling it or keeping it and, after hours of divided public comment, voted 4-2 to transfer ownership of the arena and grounds to CWI. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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