division
noun
di·vi·sion də-ˈvi-zhən 
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
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 U.S. 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 (such 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)
divisional
də-ˈvizh-nəl
adjective -ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl
Synonyms
- divider
- partition
- separation
- separator
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the process of cell division a division of profits into equal shares After learning multiplication, the students were taught division.
Recent Examples on the Web Any combination of Guardians wins or losses by the second-place White Sox that is greater than or equal to 19 will clinch the club’s first division title since 2018. 
Joe Noga, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 This team is supposed to roll to the division title. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Sep. 2022 The Eagles, who again are lined with multiple standouts across both sides of the line of scrimmage, are expected to contend for a division title under second-year head coach Nick Sirianni. Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2022 Chasing the crown: With one points night remaining on Sept. 10, all but one of the division title chases was a virtual wrap. Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 In the 20 seasons since realignment, every team except Detroit and Cleveland has won at least one division title. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Minus the late collapse on defense, Purdue's overall performance still puts the Boilermakers right in the mix for the division title and a candidate to win eight games during the regular season. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2022 Operating behind a makeshift offensive line, Brady can still lead the Bucs to a division title in the weak NFC South, but Tampa Bay will fizzle out in the playoffs. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2022 After going 17-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks last season en route to a division title, the San Francisco Giants fell to 5-8 against their NL West foes this year after Thursday’s 5-0 afternoon loss. Kikue Higuchi, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Joe Noga, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 This team is supposed to roll to the division title. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Sep. 2022 The Eagles, who again are lined with multiple standouts across both sides of the line of scrimmage, are expected to contend for a division title under second-year head coach Nick Sirianni. Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2022 Chasing the crown: With one points night remaining on Sept. 10, all but one of the division title chases was a virtual wrap. Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 In the 20 seasons since realignment, every team except Detroit and Cleveland has won at least one division title. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 Minus the late collapse on defense, Purdue's overall performance still puts the Boilermakers right in the mix for the division title and a candidate to win eight games during the regular season. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2022 Operating behind a makeshift offensive line, Brady can still lead the Bucs to a division title in the weak NFC South, but Tampa Bay will fizzle out in the playoffs. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2022 After going 17-2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks last season en route to a division title, the San Francisco Giants fell to 5-8 against their NL West foes this year after Thursday’s 5-0 afternoon loss. Kikue Higuchi, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French devision, from Latin division-, divisio, from dividere to divide
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing division
Kids Definition
division
noun
di·vi·sion də-ˈvi-zhən
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 Definition
division
noun
di·vi·sion də-ˈvizh-ən
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 that is typically equivalent to a phylum
division
noun
1
as in divider
something that divides, separates, or marks off we poked our heads over the division between the yards to see what the fuss was about Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- divider
- fence
- separation
- wall
- partition
- boundary
- barrier
- separator
- border
- limit
2
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the complaints division handled all of the calls from the angry townsfolk Synonyms & Similar Words
- department
- agency
- bureau
- office
- service
- branch
- desk
- subdivision
- arm
- subdepartment
3
as in category
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic one of the major divisions of birds Synonyms & Similar Words
- category
- type
- kind
- group
- classification
- league
- tier
- class
- section
- sort
- family
- bracket
- genus
- species
- generation
- variety
- grade
- rank(s)
- set
- rubric
- order
- breed
- subdivision
- subgroup
- branch
- race
- specialty
- description
- like
- subspecies
- nature
- speciality
- manner
- kidney
- heading
- title
- subclass
- label
- ilk
- feather
4
as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the assembly line was a major development in the division of labor among workers Synonyms & Similar Words
- split
- dissolution
- partition
- breakup
- separation
- schism
- bifurcation
- distribution
- subdivision
- fractionalization
- dispersion
- fractionation
- cleavage
- polarization
- disunion
- decomposition
- administration
- dispersal
- segregation
- scission
- divorce
- segmentation
- sundering
- rupture
- apportionment
- diffusion
- breach
- dismemberment
- isolation
- severance
- disassembly
- atomization
- scattering
- dichotomization
- sequestration
- seclusion
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- union
- unification
- association
- consolidation
- conjunction
- assemblage
- connection
- attachment
- combination
- linkage
- aggregation
- link
- fusion
- linkup
5
as in distribution
the act or process of giving out something to each member of a group the person in charge of the division of the profits among the business partners Synonyms & Similar Words
- distribution
- allocation
- apportionment
- issuance
- dispensation
- redistribution
- allotment
- disbursement
- redivision
- reallocation
- reapportionment
- admeasurement
- partition
- separation
- repartition
6
as in discord
a lack of agreement or harmony that church has been racked by division for some time now, and a split into two denominations seems unavoidable Synonyms & Similar Words
- discord
- strife
- friction
- war
- conflict
- schism
- warfare
- discordance
- dissention
- discordancy
- dissent
- disunity
- dispute
- divide
- variance
- clash
- disharmony
- infighting
- dissension
- altercation
- dissonance
- disunion
- contention
- hostility
- inharmony
- dissidence
- disagreement
- competition
- fight
- argument
- disaccord
- quarrel
- collision
- debate
- fissure
- squabble
- bicker
- brawl
- inconsistency
- antagonism
- animosity
- enmity
- wrangle
- tiff
- incompatibility
- row
- spat
- incongruence
- rancor
- incongruity
- ill will
- mix-up
- inharmoniousness
- cold war
- inconsonance
- run-in
- antipathy
- miff
- falling-out
- inconsistence
- scrap
- incongruousness
- jar
- hassle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- agreement
- harmony
- peace
- cooperation
- concord
- accord
- concordance
- concurrence
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of division are fragment, member, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," division applies to a large or diversified part.
the manufacturing division of the company
While in some cases nearly identical to division, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.
only a fragment of the play still exists
While the synonyms member and division are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.
a structural member
The words part and division can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.
they ran only part of the way
In some situations, the words piece and division are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.
a puzzle with 500 pieces
Although the words portion and division have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.
cut the pie into six portions
The synonyms section and division are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.
the entertainment section of the newspaper
The words segment and division are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.
the retired segment of the population
- put into play
- put into practice
- put into service
- put into words
- put it about
- put it out of one's mind
- put it there
- put little credence in
- put little faith in
- put money on
- put off
- put off her stride
- put off her stroke
- put off his stride
- put off his stroke
- put off someone's scent
- put off the scent
- put on
- put on a brave face
- put on a clinic
- put on a happy face
- put on a happy/brave face
- put on a pedestal
- put on airs
- put on an act