division

noun di·vi·sion \ də-ˈvi-zhən \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: division in a Sentence

Definition of division

1 a : 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

4 a : 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

6 a : 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

7 a : 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)

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divisional

play \-ˈvizh-nəl, -ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl\ adjective

See division defined for English-language learners

See division defined for kids

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 of division from the Web

In the high school division, youths in grades 9-12 will race head to head against each other, said Rainey.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Triathlon comes home to Katy with new features," 10 July 2018
The Red Sox, in contrast, owe their lead in the division to having beaten Baltimore nine times in 10 games.

— New York Times, "Split Doubleheader Costs Yankees Ground in A.L. East Race," 9 July 2018
With a spotty offense and a rotation that has missed its top three starters for extended stretches, the Giants began the day in fourth place in the NL West at 46-45, though only 4½ games behind the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

— jorge l. ortiz, USA TODAY, "Younger, cheaper, better: Giants pull off trade with Rangers that helps now - and in future," 8 July 2018
Delray's 16-under representatives finished in third place in that division.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Delray American LL hosts annual Piper Davis showcase," 8 July 2018
Dan Schmeissing was tops in the 4-cylinder division, defeating Alex Treptow.

— tony baranek, Daily Southtown, "Ice in his veins: From skates to racing shoes, John Senerchia travels the fast track to success at Grundy Speedway," 7 July 2018
In a division they were supposed to easily win, the Nationals sit in third place behind surprising Philadelphia and Atlanta and are looking up at six teams in the wild-card race.

— john shea, SFChronicle.com, "Dusty Baker’s long gone as Nationals, Bryce Harper struggle," 7 July 2018
The Tigers entered Wednesday's game with a record of 36-44, eight games behind the Cleveland Indians for first place in the American League Central division.

— samuel chamberlain, Fox News, "Detroit Tigers fire pitching coach Chris Bosio over 'insensitive comments'," 27 June 2018
With a two-game series against the National League Central division-leading Brewers looming after Monday’s detour to Kansas City, where the Royals will make up a game with the Angels, accomplishing such a feat won’t come easy.

— maria torres, kansascity, "An eight-run inning dooms Jason Hammel, Royals in loss to Astros," 24 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of division

Middle English, from Anglo-French devision, from Latin division-, divisio, from dividere to divide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

division Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

DIVISION Defined for English Language Learners

division

noun

Definition of division for English Language Learners

: the act or process of dividing something into parts : the way that something is divided
: something that physically divides or separates something else
mathematics : the process of finding out how many times one number is contained in another

DIVISION Defined for Kids

division

noun di·vi·sion \ də-ˈvi-zhən \

Definition of division for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

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

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