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

Newer subdivisions, modern amenities and a mix of public and charter options draw parents looking for suburban-style living without giving up access to the city. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026

On my right was a patch of wild Florida that had been razed to make room for a new subdivision built by Lennar. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026

The subdivision will include 135 single-family homes as the majority of the structures. —Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026

How River Forest Park began Back in 1916, the North Kansas City Development Company, the real estate firm responsible for founding the city, had ambitious plans for a new subdivision atop the Clay County Bluffs along Euclid Avenue — now Vernon Street. —Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 27 May 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