division

noun

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di·vi·sion | \ də-ˈvi-zhən

Definition of division

1a : the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided

b : the act, process, or an instance of distributing among a number : distribution

2 : one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is divided or is divisible

3 : the condition or an instance of being divided in opinion or interest : disagreement, disunity exploited the divisions between the two countries

4a : something that divides, separates, or marks off

b : the act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart : separation

5 : the mathematical operation of dividing something

6a : a self-contained major military unit capable of independent action

b : a tactical military unit composed of headquarters and usually three to five brigades

c(1) : the basic naval administrative unit

(2) : a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships

d : a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a wing and lower than an air force

7a : a portion of a territorial unit marked off for a particular purpose (such as administrative or judicial functions)

b : an administrative or operating unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization

8 : the physical separation into different lobbies of the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question

9 : plant propagation by dividing parts and planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots

10 : a group of organisms forming part of a larger group specifically : a primary category of the plant kingdom in biological taxonomy that is typically equivalent to a phylum

11 : a competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling)

Other Words from division Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing division Learn More About division

Choose the Right Synonym for division

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required. they ran only part of the way portion implies an assigned or allotted part. cut the pie into six portions piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole. a puzzle with 500 pieces member suggests one of the functional units composing a body. a structural member division applies to a large or diversified part. the manufacturing division of the company section applies to a relatively small or uniform part. the entertainment section of the newspaper segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage. the retired segment of the population fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off. only a fragment of the play still exists

Examples of division in a Sentence

the process of cell division a division of profits into equal shares After learning multiplication, the students were taught division.

Recent Examples on the Web The division has authorized 125 such systems, 20 of which were approved in the last five years, including the one to be installed at Canyon Meadows. — Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 May 2022 The division is responsible for bringing to life the Facebook founder's vision of a world where virtual reality and augmentedreality change everything from shopping for groceries to hanging out with friends. — Rachel Metz, CNN, 5 May 2022 The division is also skeptical that grey water projects save water. — Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2022 With Facebook bailing on the audio space after just one year, Axios’ Scott Rosenberg is starting to wonder when the Meta division will actually succeed at entering a new market. — Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 4 May 2022 Original story: Back in 1995, the Microsoft Kids division of the company released a program called Microsoft 3D Movie Maker. — Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Two years later, employees, former executives and retailers say the division remains a work in progress. — Salvador Rodriguez, WSJ, 3 May 2022 The division also helps manage deals for talent, such as Elizabeth Bank’s partnership with Archer Roose and Emma Chamberlain’s Chamberlain Coffee. — Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2022 In 1979, the German division of Warner Bros. Records gave him his own imprint, Innovative Communication, which had one major hit with Ideal, a Berlin band. — Jon Pareles, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Apr. 2022 See More

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

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Dictionary Entries Near division

divisible surplus

division

divisional title

Statistics for division

Last Updated

9 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Division.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/division. Accessed 19 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for division

division

noun

di·vi·sion | \ də-ˈvi-zhən

Kids Definition of division

1 : the act or process of dividing or separating : the state of being divided or separated cell division

2 : the mathematical process of finding out how many times one number is contained in another

3 : something that divides, separates, or marks off The river is the division between the two towns.

4 : one of the parts or groups that make up a whole

5 : a large military unit

6 : a level of competitors He finished third in his weight division.

7 : a group of plants that ranks above the class and below the kingdom and in scientific classification is typically equal to a phylum

division

noun

di·vi·sion | \ də-ˈvizh-ən

Medical Definition of division

1 : the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided — see cell division

2 : a group of organisms forming part of a larger group specifically : a primary category of the plant kingdom that is typically equivalent to a phylum