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

After the last row of strip malls and subdivisions, the Everglades took over, in a vast, hot expanse of subtropical wetland. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Lexington police and fire departments were dispatched Friday morning to 51 Lakeview Drive in the Indian Hills subdivision on reports of an unmarked gas line that was struck, said Lexington Police Chief Josh Coen. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025

Established in 2023, the subdivision includes 79 homesites − both sold and still for sale − offering residents easy access to Oakley’s shopping, dining, and entertainment. —Randy Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Sep. 2025

In counties near sprawling metropolitan centers, a developer may gobble it up for a new subdivision. —Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Sep. 2025

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