subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˈsəb-də-ˌvi-zhən 

1

: an act or instance of subdividing

2

: something produced by subdividing: such as

a

: a subordinate part of a larger whole

political subdivisions

b

: a tract of land surveyed and divided into lots for purposes of sale

especially : one with houses built on it

3

: a category in botanical classification ranking below a division and above a class

Examples of subdivision in a Sentence

a political subdivision of the state

Recent Examples on the Web

At a nearby subdivision near 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, multiple homes also were damaged by the storm. — Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Penn was following historical precedent, as townships were among the earliest forms of political subdivision in colonial America. — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

Jayker Way, which winds through the subdivision and feeds into Chinden, frequently backs up, especially on Sundays, when thousands of congregants attend worship at the nearby Rockharbor megachurch. — Rose Evans august 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026

The landlord for the property claimed his leases did not permit subdivision, nor did suites have enough space for multiple hospices. — Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subdivision

• cablevision
• circumcision
• imprecision
• indecision
• supervision
• television
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision

Kids Definition

subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˌsəb-də-ˈvizh-ən 

1

: the act or process of subdividing

2

: one of the parts into which something is subdivided

Medical Definition

subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˈsəb-də-ˌvi-zhən 

: a category in botanical classification ranking below a division and above a class

Legal Definition

subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˈsəb-də-ˌvi-zhən 

1

: an act or instance of subdividing

obtain approval of his subdivision of the land

2

: a tract of land subdivided into lots

to provide streets and sewers for the subdivision

3

: a part made by subdividing

as prescribed in subdivision one of this section