First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
division
noun di·vi·sion \də-ˈvi-zhən\
: the act or process of dividing something into parts : the way that something is divided
: something that physically divides or separates something else
mathematics : the process of finding out how many times one number is contained in another
Full Definition of DIVISION
1
a : the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided b : the act, process, or an instance of distributing among a number : distribution c obsolete : a method of arranging or disposing (as troops)
2
: one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is divided or is divisible
3
: the condition or an instance of being divided in opinion or interest : disagreement, disunity <exploited the divisions between the two countries>
4
a : something that divides, separates, or marks off b : the act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart : separation
5
: the mathematical operation of dividing something
6
a : a self-contained major military unit capable of independent action b : a tactical military unit composed of headquarters and usually three to five brigades c (1) : the basic naval administrative unit (2) : a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships d : a unit of the United States Air Force higher than a wing and lower than an air force
7
a : a portion of a territorial unit marked off for a particular purpose (as administrative or judicial functions) b : an administrative or operating unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
8
: the physical separation into different lobbies of the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question
9
: plant propagation by dividing parts and planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots
10
: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group; specifically : a primary category of the plant kingdom in biological taxonomy that is typically equivalent to a phylum
11
: a competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling)
— di·vi·sion·al \-ˈvizh-nəl, -ˈvi-zhə-nəl\ adjective
See division defined for English-language learners
See division defined for kids
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Origin of DIVISION
Middle English, from Anglo-French devision, from Latin division-, divisio, from dividere to divide
Related to DIVISION
- Synonyms
- divider, partition, separation, separator
- Antonyms
- unification, union
Synonym Discussion of DIVISION
part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required <they ran only part of the way>. portion implies an assigned or allotted part <cut the pie into six portions>. piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole <a puzzle with 500 pieces>. member suggests one of the functional units composing a body <a structural member>. division applies to a large or diversified part <the manufacturing division of the company>. section applies to a relatively small or uniform part <the entertainment section of the newspaper>. segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage <the retired segment of the population>. fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off <only a fragment of the play still exists>.
Rhymes with DIVISION
DIVISION Defined for Kids
division
noun di·vi·sion \də-ˈvi-zhən\
Definition of DIVISION for Kids
1
: the act or process of dividing or separating : the state of being divided or separated <cell division>
2
: the mathematical process of finding out how many times one number is contained in another
3
: something that divides, separates, or marks off <The river is the division between the two towns.>
4
: one of the parts or groups that make up a whole
5
: a large military unit
6
: a level of competitors <He finished third in his weight division.>
7
: a group of plants that ranks above the class and below the kingdom and in scientific classification is typically equal to a phylum
Medical Dictionary
division
noun di·vi·sion \də-ˈvizh-ən\
Medical Definition of DIVISION
1
: the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided—see cell division
2
: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group; specifically : a primary category of the plant kingdom
—di·vi·sion·al \-ˈvizh-nəl, -ˈvizh-ən-əl\ adjective
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