subdivide

American  

[suhb-di-vahyd, suhb-di-vahyd] / ˌsʌb dɪˈvaɪd, ˈsʌb dɪˌvaɪd /

verb (used with object)

subdivided, subdividing

1. to divide (that which has already been divided) into smaller parts; divide again after a first division.

2. to divide into parts.

3. to divide (a plot, tract of land, etc.) into building lots.

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verb (used without object)

subdivided, subdividing

1. to become separated into divisions.

subdivide British  

/ ˌsʌbdɪˈvaɪd, ˈsʌbdɪˌvaɪd /

verb

1. to divide (something) resulting from an earlier division

2. (tr) to divide (land) into lots for sale

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Other Word Forms

• subdividable adjective
• subdivider noun
• unsubdivided adjective

Etymology

Origin of subdivide

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word subdīvīdere. See sub-, divide

Example Sentences

“When it last listed, there were two other offers from people that wanted to subdivide the land,” Maize said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025

Congress doesn’t have to remake the wheel if it wishes to subdivide its white-collar statutes; it can borrow from state codes.

From Slate • Oct. 16, 2023

“That male lineage unifies the tomb, whereas female ancestors subdivide the community.”

From Science Magazine • Oct. 4, 2023

Groups with more complex skeletons may occupy smaller niches and are less able to subdivide those niche spaces in order to produce new species.

From Science Daily • Sep. 25, 2023

He understood a lot about how to speculate for land, graze it, subdivide it, make it pay dividends.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols