subdivision
Americannoun
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the act or fact of subdividing.
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a product of subdividing, as a section of a department.
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a portion of land divided into lots for real-estate development.
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Botany, Mycology. a category of related classes within a division or phylum.
noun
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the process, instance, or state of being divided again following upon an earlier division
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a portion that is the result of subdividing
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a tract of land for building resulting from subdividing land
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a housing development built on such a tract
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of subdivision
1545–55; < Late Latin subdīvīsiōn- (stem of subdīvīsiō ), equivalent to subdīvīs ( us ) (past participle of subdīvīdere to subdivide ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
When something large or complex is split into smaller parts, you can call each part a subdivision. The act of separating something into parts is also called subdivision. In North America, when someone mentions a subdivision, they probably mean a suburban neighborhood. When planned communities are designed, developers subdivide the plots of land to make it easier to sell them. If a botanist talks about subdivisions, she means something completely different: a ranked group of plants. No matter how the word is used, a subdivision is basically a smaller section of a section, or a part of something that's divided.
Vocabulary lists containing subdivision
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.
The game at the Coliseum was Missouri State’s first as a Football Bowl Subdivision team.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 31, 2025
The Bruins brought in a promising transfer in Anthony Woods, though his college success has come entirely at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2025
It led Michigan’s national title run in which the Wolverines were the first Football Bowl Subdivision team to hold 15 opponents under 25 points in a single season since Minnesota in 1903.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2024
Oregon is one of four teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision to return both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns this season.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024
Engineering, College of: First establishment, 49; Subdivision of Literary Department, 137; Faculty, 138, 139; Deans, 139; Departments in, 140; Building, 141; Research in, 154; Independent College, 139.
From The University of Michigan by Shaw, Wilfred
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.
