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

The indictment alleges the Sansons sought to bribe an Antioch City Council member to place the project on a City Council agenda and secure a favorable vote on a 533-home subdivision. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026

The couple settled into a two-story, middle-class home in the Candlewood Park subdivision in northeast San Antonio, online records show. —Peggy O'Hare, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026

The land was set aside by the developers of Creekview Ranch, a housing subdivision that borders Dry Creek on the north side of the project, Placer County officials said in an announcement. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026

Quinlan had to work with Bloomington officials to sidestep the onerous subdivision process. —Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 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