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

This portion of the design finally fulfills a condition of the city’s Syringa Valley Specific Plan, the guiding document behind the 2,000 unit Locale subdivision, now almost a decade into construction. —Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 14 Dec. 2025

The 107-acre property on Specie Mesa in the Top of the World subdivision has a large spring-fed pond. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2025

The agency also noted that a deer that was being fed by residents of a subdivision later killed someone's pet dog. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

The family of three was found safely on the lawn when fire crews arrived on scene in the Buckingham subdivision. —Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 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