divide

verb

di·vide | \ də-ˈvīd

divided; dividing

Definition of divide

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

3a : 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

4a : 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

2a(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

divide

noun

Definition of divide (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act of dividing

2a : a dividing ridge between drainage areas

b : a point or line of division or disagreement

Other Words from divide Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about divide

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Choose the Right Synonym for divide

Verb

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

Sauerkraut, bourbon molasses and a plethora of other ingredients lend a hand in the construction of Red Top’s 10 entrees that populate a menu divided into two categories, hot dogs and sausages. — Lindsey Mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "This Shelby Park restaurant is home to Louisville's best hot dog," 11 Sep. 2019 Two types of soju: 'Original' and 'fresh' Soju comes in multiple varieties and flavors but can primarily be divided into two categories: Classic or fresh, a more filtered variety. — Tirion Morris, azcentral, "Soju is the world's most-consumed spirit. Here's the best place to try it in Phoenix," 5 Sep. 2019 As a result, the underground tombs now contain around 8,000 bodies divided into separate corridors, including one for religious figures, one for professional men, one for children, and even one for virgins. — Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, "Creepy Catacombs, Islands of Dolls, and 18 Other Terrifying Places for Thrill Seekers," 4 Sep. 2019 The gardens created by businessman Arnold D. Haskell in 1966 cover a city block and are divided into manageable chunks, such as a succulent and cactus garden shaded by a giant gnarly pepper tree and a humid conservatory of tropical plants. — Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, "Four Hours in Corona del Mar, where it’s already Halloween," 30 Aug. 2019 The artwork featured a modern version of the company's first official logo with the apple divided into floating rainbow chunks. — Ahiza Garcia, CNN, "Apple expected to unveil new iPhones at September 10 event," 29 Aug. 2019 Kiers and her colleagues did this with a petri dish divided into three equal-size compartments, like a Mercedes symbol. — Quanta Magazine, "Soil’s Microbial Market Shows the Ruthless Side of Forests," 27 Aug. 2019 So when Monday’s evening session wore down, and White divided his squad into smaller groups on offense and defense, the three quarterbacks had their repetitions with the first-team offense. — Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "College Football: McDaniel quarterback position battle heating up," 27 Aug. 2019 Mothers and children as young as babies sleep in dorms with bunk beds and share bathrooms, with trailers divided into neighborhoods with names such as Green Turtle and Yellow Frog. — oregonlive.com, "The ICE chief called family detention ‘summer camp. Here’s what it looks like inside," 25 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Scott does not fall into simple blame; his understanding of our country’s racial divide transcends his characters’ experience, but never intrudes on their truth. — Washington Post, "“The World Doesn’t Require You,”," 9 Sep. 2019 And by necessity, in order to become mainstream, a word must cross racial and cultural divides. — Alec Dent, National Review, "The Natural Evolution of Language Is Not ‘Cultural Appropriation’," 3 Sep. 2019 Yost has been outspoken about the divide and his belief that the state is in the best position to represent everybody. — Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, "Ohio AG Dave Yost again seeks control of opioid litigation, asks appeals court to halt first federal trial," 30 Aug. 2019 Sadly, this exalted, transformative version of solidarity has only fitfully manifested and proved difficult to maintain, in large part because plutocrats and politicians have mastered a strategy of divide and conquer. — Astra Taylor, The New Republic, "One for All," 26 Aug. 2019 Those victims cut across gender, age and racial divides. — Michael Zennie, Time, "Dayton Shooting Lasted Just 32 Seconds and Left 9 Dead. Here's the Latest on the Tragedy," 5 Aug. 2019 Fellow moderate Michael Bennet, Colorado’s senior U.S. senator, had his biggest moment of the night during an exchange on the racial divide facing Americans. — Anna Staver, The Denver Post, "Democratic debate: Michael Bennet strikes a chord on school inequality," 31 July 2019 Those changes come amid a stark generational divide over which values are seen as most important. — NBC News, "'A deep and boiling anger': NBC/WSJ poll finds a pessimistic America despite current economic satisfaction," 25 Aug. 2019 The lingering divide over impeachment has led proponents to advocate alternatives. — Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, "Mueller Testimony Deepens Democratic Divide on Impeachment," 25 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'divide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.