divide

di-VYD/dɪˈvaɪd/

Noun pluraldivides

18 meanings of divide

1
verbtransitive
To split something into two or more parts.
Like cutting a pizza into slices so everyone gets some.
Please divide the cake into eight equal pieces.
The teacher divided the class into small groups.
Similarsplit, partition, disunite
Oppositeunite, combine, merge, unify
Note
2
verbintransitive
To split apart into two or more parts.
Like a single stream splitting into two smaller streams.
The road divides just past the bridge.
The marchers divide into two groups at the gate.
Similarseparate, split
Oppositemerge, join, converge
3
verbtransitive
To split something up so each person gets a part.
Like splitting a candy bar so each friend gets a piece.
We divided the pizza so everyone got a slice.
Let's divide the snacks among the whole team.
Similarshare, apportion
Oppositecombine, pool
4
verbtransitive
To find how many times one number fits into another.
Like sharing twelve cookies among four kids to see how many each gets.
Divide twelve by four to get three.
She divided the total by six to find the average.
Oppositemultiply
Note
5
verbtransitive
To make a group of people argue or take different sides.
Like a fight that splits a friend group into two sides.
The new policy divided the town into two camps.
Heated arguments like that divide families and old friends.
Similarsplit, polarize
Oppositeunite, unify
Note
6
nouncountable
A growing gap or distance between two people or things.
Like two boats slowly drifting apart on the water.
A deep divide grew between the two old friends.
There is a clear divide between the rich and the poor.
Similargap, gulf, rift, split, chasm
Note
7
verbtransitive
To turn people against each other so they become unfriendly.
Like a quarrel that turns two best friends into enemies.
Greed can divide even the closest of allies.
The bitter dispute divided the two brothers for years.
Similarsplit, alienate, estrange, polarize, separate
Oppositeunite, unify, reconcile
Note
8
nouncountable
A ridge of high land that separates two river systems.
Like the peak of a roof, where rain runs down opposite sides.
Rain falling on each side of the divide flows to a different ocean.
The mountain divide separates two great river basins.
Similarwatershed, ridge
Note
9
nouncountable
A deep, wide gap in the land between two areas.
Like a giant crack in the ground too wide to step across.
They stood at the edge of a vast divide carved by the river.
A rope bridge crossed the steep divide between the cliffs.
Similarchasm, gorge, ravine, canyon, gulf
Note
10
verbintransitive
When a cell splits into two to create more cells.
Like one ball of clay splitting into two smaller balls.
Healthy cells divide many times to help the body grow.
Under the microscope, we watched a single cell divide into two.
Similarsplit, multiply, reproduce
Note

11
nouncountable
The act of splitting something into separate parts.
Like cutting a cake into pieces to share.
The divide of the prize money caused some arguments.
After a quick divide of the chores, everyone got to work.
Similardivision, split, partition, separation
Note
12
nouncountable
Something that separates one area or group from another.
Like a wall down the middle of a room, keeping the two sides apart.
The mountain range forms a natural divide between the two countries.
A low fence acts as the divide between the two yards.
Similarboundary, border, barrier, division, partition
13
verbtransitive
To go into another number an exact number of times, with nothing left over.
Like sharing candies equally among friends with none left over.
Small numbers like 2 and 5 divide 100 evenly.
Three divides nine because it fits exactly three times.
Note
14
verbintransitive
To vote in a parliament by splitting into two groups, one for and one against.
Like a class splitting into two lines, one for yes and one for no.
When the talking ends, the members divide and the clerk counts each side.
The House divided sharply over the controversial bill.
Similarvote
Note
15
verbtransitive
To mark a tool or scale with lines that show measured amounts.
Like drawing evenly spaced lines on a ruler.
Craftsmen divide the ruler into small, even steps.
The maker divided the dial so each mark stood for one degree.
Similargraduate, calibrate, mark
16
verbtransitive or intransitive
To play or sing music with fast, fancy runs added to a simple tune.
Like turning a plain hum into a fancy, twirly tune.
The singers divide freely, adding quick runs to the slow melody.
On the old song, she divided the long notes into lively flourishes.
Similarembellish, ornament
Note
17
verbobsolete
To stop being friends with someone and have a falling out.
love cools, friendship / falls off, brothers divide.
1605, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearHere, divide means fall out with each other and break off their friendship.
Note
18
verbobsolete
To have a share in something and take part with others.
Like everyone at a table getting a piece of the same pie.
Every soldier hoped to divide in the spoils after the battle.
Make good this ostentation, and you shall / Divide in all with us.
1608, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of CoriolanusHere, divide means have a share in everything.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of divide apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin dīvidere, meaning "to divide," through Middle English dividen.