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

Paying for the overpass now means having more immediate access to the infrastructure and helps residents and construction crews access the subdivision, Jill Youmans, a communications manager for the Idaho Transportation Department told the Idaho Statesman. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 28 June 2026

The developer ditched the alternative after 70 neighbors in the nearby Morrison Plantation subdivision protested. — Joe Marusak june 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026

No carrier executive in 2020 stood on a stage and announced that 5G’s defining achievement would be delivering living room broadband to rural homes and suburban subdivisions underserved by cable. — Shivendra Panwar, IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2026

But this supreme and irresistible power to make or to unmake, resides only in the whole body of the people; not in any subdivision of them. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 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