divide

[ dih-vahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, di·vid·ed, di·vid·ing.

1. to separate into parts, groups, sections, etc.

   Antonyms: unite

2. to separate or part from something else; sunder; cut off.

   Synonyms: shear, sever

3. to deal out in parts; distribute in shares; apportion.

   Synonyms: portion, partition

4. to cleave; part.
5. to separate in opinion or feeling; cause to disagree:

   The issue divided the senators.

   Synonyms: estrange, alienate

6. to distinguish the kinds of; classify.

   Synonyms: distribute, arrange, sort

7. Mathematics.
   1. to separate into equal parts by the process of mathematical division; apply the mathematical process of division to:

      Eight divided by four is two.

   2. to be a divisor of, without a remainder.
8. to mark a uniform scale on (a ruler, thermometer, etc.).
9. British Government. to separate (a legislature, assembly, etc.) into two groups in ascertaining the vote on a question.

verb (used without object)

, di·vid·ed, di·vid·ing.

1. to become divided or separated.
2. to share something with others.
3. to diverge; branch; fork:

   The road divides six miles from here.

4. to perform the mathematical process of division:

   He could add and subtract but hadn't learned to divide.

5. British Government. to vote by separating into two groups.

noun

1. a division:

   a divide in the road.

2. Physical Geography. the line or zone of higher ground between two adjacent streams or drainage basins.
3. Archaic. the act of dividing.

divide

/ 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. tr to keep apart or be a boundary between

   the Rio Grande divides Mexico from the United States

5. intr (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 10 into 50

   to divide 50 by 10

   to divide by 10

8. intr to diverge

   the roads divide

9. tr to mark increments of (length, angle, etc) as by use of an engraving machine

noun

1. an area of relatively high ground separating drainage basins; watershed See also continental divide
2. a division; split

divide

/ dĭ-vīd′ /

1. To subject (a number) to the process of division.
2. To be a divisor of.
3. To use (a number) as a divisor.
4. To perform the operation of division.
5. To undergo cell division.

Derived Forms

• diˈvidable, adjective

Other Words From

• misdi·vide verb misdivided misdividing
• predi·vide verb (used with object) predivided predividing
• redi·vide verb redivided redividing
• undi·viding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of divide¹

First recorded 1325–75; Middle English (from Anglo-French divider ), from Latin dīvidere “to separate, divide”

Word History and Origins

Origin of divide¹

C14: from Latin dīvidere to force apart, from di- ² + vid- separate, from the source of viduus bereaved, vidua widow

Synonym Study

See separate.

Example Sentences

This refrain underscores the growing partisan divide over the legislation’s priorities, with Republicans increasingly pushing for a focus on agriculture and rural development, while Democrats emphasize addressing food insecurity and expanding nutrition assistance programs.

From Salon

And the Iron Curtain, of course, divided biology and medicine as starkly as it did politics and cultures.

From Salon

But the path of inflation going forward is unusually uncertain and Bank of England officials, who decide whether to raise or cut interest rates, are divided.

From BBC

Reaction was swift — and divided — over McMahon, who is said to have wanted the job of Commerce secretary but lost out to Wall Street investor Howard Lutnick.

From Los Angeles Times

Voters were closely divided on the proposition, which would have raised the minimum wage to $17 an hour immediately for larger employers and to $18 an hour starting in January.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break
• break down
• carve
• cut
• isolate
• partition
• segregate
• split
• subdivide
• tear