Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense divides, present participle dividing, past tense, past participle divided
1. verb
When people or things are divided or divideinto smaller groups or parts, they become separated into smaller parts.
The physical benefits of exercise can be divided into three factors. [beVERB-ed + into]
It will be easiest if we divide them into groups. [VERB noun + into]
Divide the pastry in half and roll out each piece. [VERB noun + in]
We divide into pairs and each pair takes a region. [VERB + into]
Bacteria reproduce by dividing and making copies of themselves. [VERB]
[Also VERB noun]
2. verb
If you divide something among people or things, you separate it into several parts or quantities which you distributeto the people or things.
Paul divides most of his spare time between the study and his bedroom. [V n between/among pl-n]
Divide the sauce among 4 bowls. [V n + between/among]
[Also VERB noun]
3. verb
If you divide a larger number by a smaller number or divide a smaller number into a larger number, you calculate how many times the smaller number can fit exactly into the larger number.
Measure the floor area of the greenhouse and divide it by six. [V n + by/into]
4. verb
If a border or line divides two areas or divides an area into two, it keeps the two areas separate from each other.
the decision to divide the country into autonomous regions. [VERB noun]
...the artificial line that divides the city. [VERB noun]
...the long frontier dividing Mexico from the United States. [VERB noun + from]
[Also V n into pl-n]
Synonyms: separate, part, split, cut (up) More Synonyms of divide
5. verb
If people divide over something or if something divides them, it causes strong disagreement between them.
She has done more to divide the Conservatives than anyone else. [VERB noun]
The democrats are divided over whether to admit him into their group. [VERB-ed]
The party is likely to divide along ideological lines. [VERB preposition]
[Also VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: split, break up, alienate, embroil More Synonyms of divide
6. countable noun [usually singular]
A divide is a significant distinction between two groups, often one that causes conflict.
...a deliberate attempt to create a Hindu–Muslim divide in India.
7. countable noun [usually singular]
A divide is a moment in time or a point in a process when there is a complete change from one situation to another.
The time had come to cross the great divide between formality and truth.
8. countable noun
A divide is a line of high ground between areas that are drained by different rivers.
[US]regional note: in BRIT, usually use watershed
9.
See divide and rule
Phrasal verbs:
See divide off
See divide up
More Synonyms of divide
divide in British English
(dɪˈvaɪd)
verb
1.
to separate or be separated into parts or groups; split up; part
2.
to share or be shared out in parts; distribute
3.
to diverge or cause to diverge in opinion or aim
the issue divided the management
4. (transitive)
to keep apart or be a boundary between
the Rio Grande divides Mexico from the United States
5. (intransitive)
(in Parliament and similar legislatures) to vote by separating into two groups
6.
to categorize; classify
7.
to calculate the quotient of (one number or quantity) and (another number or quantity) by division
to divide 50 by 10
to divide 10 into 50
to divide by 10
8. (intransitive)
to diverge
the roads divide
9. (transitive)
to mark increments of (length, angle, etc) as by use of an engraving machine
noun
10. mainly US and Canadian
an area of relatively high ground separating drainage basins; watershed
See also continental divide
11.
a division; split
Derived forms
dividable (diˈvidable)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Latin dīvidere to force apart, from di-2 + vid- separate, from the source of viduus bereaved, viduawidow
divide in American English
(dəˈvaɪd)
verb transitiveWord forms: diˈvided or diˈviding
1.
to separate into parts; split up; sever
2.
to separate into groups; classify
3.
to make or keep separate by or as by a boundary or partition
4.
to give out in shares; apportion; distribute
5.
to cause disagreement between or among; alienate
6.
to separate (a parliamentary body) into groups in voting on a question
7. Ancient Mathematics
a.
to separate into equal parts by a divisor
b.
to function as a divisor of
8. Mechanics
to mark off the divisions of; graduate; gradate
verb intransitive
9.
to be or become separate; part
10.
to differ in opinion; disagree
11.
to separate into groups in voting on a question
said of a parliament, esp. that of the United Kingdom
12.
to share
13. Ancient Mathematics
a.
to do division
b.
to undergo division; be divisible (by)
noun
14.
the act of dividing
15. US
a ridge that divides two drainage areas; watershed
16.
a division; boundary
SIMILAR WORDS: disˈtribute, ˈsepaˌrate
Derived forms
dividable (diˈvidable)
adjective
Word origin
ME dividen < L dividere, to separate, divide, distribute < di- (< dis-, apart) + base seen in vidua, UNRESOLVED CROSS REF < IE base *weidh-, to separate (prob. < wi-, apart + dhē, set, do1)
More idioms containing
divide
divide and conquer
Examples of 'divide' in a sentence
divide
Yet the divide between the two services makes diminishing sense.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Is there a dividing line between the show and club?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Divide into two sections and loosely twist.
The Sun (2016)
And you might want to divide it by two.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When it comes to money, people divide into three tribes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The club's general committee is understood to have been deeply divided over his appointment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is still a North-South divide and the top ten places for selling a property match the areas where prices are rising fastest.
The Sun (2016)
He kicks off with stand-up, dividing us into groups depending on how we deal with wasps.
The Sun (2016)
At the time the brothers were bitterly divided over the conflict.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The blame for this divide is a great buckle in the jet stream.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They are then divided into groups and asked to prepare a presentation on ethics.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The headline numbers suggest that people are divided over staying or leaving.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The referendum has deeply divided the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Then divide half of the batter between the prepared ramekins.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is then divided by their number of touches.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Remember to multiply all weekly payments by four and divide all quarterly ones by three.
Tondeur, Keith Say Goodbye to Debt (1994)
What is the area of his circle divided by the area of mine?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This makes it more likely to divide.
The Sun (2013)
There was a significant ideological divide over the importance of religion.
Christianity Today (2000)
Divide into pairs to share your experiences during that exercise.
Lindenfield, Gael 50 Ways to Become a Self-Confident Woman (1989)
But the digital divide might become an ugly reality if large numbers of cinemas close.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The neck is usually the dividing line.
Wilkinson, Helena Beyond Chaotic Eating (1993)
The bigger divide comes with the older generation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This really is a subject that crosses the divide.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The two ballerinas divided fans as much as they fuelled the gossip mill.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This election is one of the most clearly divided on cultural grounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The rats had been divided into two groups shortly after weaning.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
There had been a great social divide and some were horrified at what they found on the other side.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Will the church divide or split?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She had to cope with huge changes and divided loyalties when your husband's marriage ended.
The Sun (2008)
There are also growing fears of a North-South divide.
The Sun (2011)
The conflict also divides families.
Marcus J. Borg READING THE BIBLE AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally. (2001)
Quotations
Divide and rulePhilip of Macedon
In other languages
divide
British English: divide /dɪˈvaɪd/ VERB
object If you divide something, you make it into smaller pieces.
Divide the cake into four pieces.
American English: divide
Arabic: يُقَسِّمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: dividir
Chinese: 分开
Croatian: podijeliti
Czech: rozdělit
Danish: dele
Dutch: verdelen
European Spanish: dividir Matemáticas
Finnish: jakaa osiin
French: diviser
German: trennen
Greek: διαιρώ
Italian: dividere
Japanese: 分ける
Korean: ...을 나누다
Norwegian: dele
Polish: podzielić
European Portuguese: dividir
Romanian: a împărți
Russian: разделять
Latin American Spanish: dividir
Swedish: dela upp
Thai: แบ่ง
Turkish: bölmek
Ukrainian: розділяти
Vietnamese: chia tách
British English: divide /dɪˈvaɪd/ VERB
number When you divide numbers, you see how many times one number goes into another number.
If you divide ten by five, you get two.
American English: divide
Arabic: يَقْسِمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: dividir
Chinese: 除
Croatian: dijeliti
Czech: dělitčísla
Danish: dele
Dutch: delen door
European Spanish: dividir
Finnish: jakaa
French: diviser
German: teilen
Greek: διαιρώ
Italian: dividere
Japanese: ･･･を割る
Korean: 나누다
Norwegian: dele
Polish: dzielić
European Portuguese: dividir
Romanian: a împărți
Russian: делить
Latin American Spanish: dividir
Swedish: dividera
Thai: หาร
Turkish: bölmek
Ukrainian: ділити
Vietnamese: chia
British English: divide NOUN
A divide is a significant distinction between two groups, often one that causes conflict.
...a deliberate attempt to create a ideological divide in the country.
American English: divide
Brazilian Portuguese: divisão
Chinese: 重大差异引发冲突的
European Spanish: división
French: clivage
German: Kluft
Italian: frattura
Japanese: 対立点
Korean: 분열
European Portuguese: divisão
Latin American Spanish: división
All related terms of 'divide'
divide up
If you divide something up , you separate it into smaller or more useful groups.
divide off
If something divides an area off , it forms a barrier that keeps it separate from another area.
Great Divide
a principal mountain watershed
digital divide
the gap between those people who have internet access and those who do not
divide opinion
You can refer to the beliefs or views that people have as opinion .
continental divide
the watershed of a continent , esp ( often caps . ) the principal watershed of North America, formed by the Rocky Mountains
divide and conquer
a strategy by which someone remains in power by making sure that the people under their control quarrel among themselves and so cannot unite to achieve their aims and overthrow their leader
divide and rule
You use divide and rule to refer to a policy which is intended to keep someone in a position of power by causing disagreements between people who might otherwise unite against them.
subdivide
If something is subdivided , it is divided into several smaller areas, parts, or groups.
cross the Great Divide
to die
Chinese translation of 'divide'
divide
(dɪˈvaɪd)
vt
to divide (up) (= separate) (into groups, areas) 划(劃)分 (huàfēn)
(in maths) 除 (chú)
to divide sth between/among sb/sth (= share) 在两(兩)个(個)/3个(個)以上的人/物之间(間)分配某物 (zài liǎng gè/sān gè yǐshàng de rén/wù zhījiān fēnpèi mǒuwù)