divide
Americanverb (used with object)
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to separate into parts, groups, sections, etc.
- Antonyms:
- unite
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to separate or part from something else; sunder; cut off.
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to deal out in parts; distribute in shares; apportion.
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to cleave; part.
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to separate in opinion or feeling; cause to disagree.
The issue divided the senators.
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to distinguish the kinds of; classify.
- Synonyms:
- distribute, arrange, sort
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Mathematics.
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to separate into equal parts by the process of mathematical division; apply the mathematical process of division to.
Eight divided by four is two.
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to be a divisor of, without a remainder.
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to mark a uniform scale on (a ruler, thermometer, etc.).
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British Government. to separate (a legislature, assembly, etc.) into two groups in ascertaining the vote on a question.
verb (used without object)
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to become divided or separated.
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to share something with others.
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to diverge; branch; fork.
The road divides six miles from here.
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to perform the mathematical process of division.
He could add and subtract but hadn't learned to divide.
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British Government. to vote by separating into two groups.
noun
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a division.
a divide in the road.
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Physical Geography. the line or zone of higher ground between two adjacent streams or drainage basins.
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Archaic. the act of dividing.
verb
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to separate or be separated into parts or groups; split up; part
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to share or be shared out in parts; distribute
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to diverge or cause to diverge in opinion or aim
the issue divided the management
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(tr) to keep apart or be a boundary between
the Rio Grande divides Mexico from the United States
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(intr) (in Parliament and similar legislatures) to vote by separating into two groups
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to categorize; classify
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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
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(intr) to diverge
the roads divide
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(tr) to mark increments of (length, angle, etc) as by use of an engraving machine
noun
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an area of relatively high ground separating drainage basins; watershed See also continental divide
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a division; split
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To subject (a number) to the process of division.
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To be a divisor of.
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To use (a number) as a divisor.
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To perform the operation of division.
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To undergo cell division.
Related Words
See separate.
Other Word Forms
- dividable adjective
- misdivide verb
- predivide verb (used with object)
- redivide verb
- undividing adjective
Etymology
Origin of divide
First recorded 1325–75; Middle English (from Anglo-French divider ), from Latin dīvidere “to separate, divide”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This latest episode reflects that divide in stark terms.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
But on the ground in Texas, the divide appeared more even -- with roughly half backing Vance and a significant share favoring Rubio or considering him at least as capable.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
It’s unknown on what side of the religious divide Holbein fell at the time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
Rob Reiner was clear and sincere in his beliefs, put his money where his mouth was and made art designed to connect rather than divide us.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
It was as if a ghost had reached across the divide and whispered in my ear, waking me up with names of people who only exist in my dreams.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
