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

Back in 1980, there were a few subdivisions started in Fox Valley Villages but there were major plans for many more homes, the release said. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

In rolling past Mississippi Valley State, 52-0, the Hornets earned their first victory of the season in their first season as an NCAA Division I upper-subdivision FBS program. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Chief Travis Ruby of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that his office has received additional reports of construction crews in nearby subdivisions discovering bullet holes in their trailers. — Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026

Decades ago, state lawmakers were concerned about too many farms being turned into new subdivisions. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 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