divider

American  

[dih-vahy-der] / dɪˈvaɪ dər /

noun

1. a person or thing that divides.

2. dividers, a pair of compasses, as used for dividing lines, measuring, etc.

3. a partition between two areas or dividing one area into two, as a piece of cardboard in a box or a bookcase jutting out from a wall.

4. room divider.

5. Mining. bunton.

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divider British  

/ dɪˈvaɪdə /

noun

1. Also called: room divider.  a screen or piece of furniture placed so as to divide a room into separate areas

2. a person or thing that divides

3. electronics an electrical circuit with an output that is a well-defined fraction of the given input

   a voltage divider

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Other Word Forms

• predivider
  noun

Etymology

Origin of divider

First recorded in 1520–30; divide + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The 101 is a major divider of wildlife habitat, particularly where the bridge will be built over a heavily traveled route northwest of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

As a result, Friday's evening play will feature just the second instalment of the match between Barry Hawkins and Mark Williams, with the divider raised so the whole arena can watch.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

As early at 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, the fire was moving west toward North Lake Avenue, the unofficial east-west divider for the town, according to the state report.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

Shortly before 9 p.m., as news helicopters broadcast the pursuit live from overhead, the suspect crashed the van into the northbound side of the center divider near the Avenue 43 exit in Montecito Heights.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025

The police verify this by the crumple pattern and damage to the divider and where the car comes to rest.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• affiliate
• branch
• category
• class
• department
• section
• sector
• segment
• share
• split