divided; dividing
1
2
a
: to separate into portions and give out in shares : distribute
divide profits
b
: to possess, enjoy, or make use of in common
divide the blame
c
: apportion
divides her time between the office and home
3
a
: to cause to be separate, distinct, or apart from one another
fields divided by stone walls
b
: to separate into opposing sides or parties
the issues that divide us
c
: to cause (a parliamentary body) to vote by division
1
: to perform mathematical division
2
a(1)
: to undergo replication, multiplication, fission, or separation into parts
(2)
: to branch out
b
: to become separated or disunited especially in opinion or interest
Synonyms
Examples of divide in a Sentence
Verb
She divided the pie into eight pieces.
The equator divides the Earth into two hemispheres.
The river divides after the bridge.
A tall fence divides the two yards.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
But as the audience becomes more fragmented and divided along political and demographic lines, this trend is not going away.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Arizona is one of seven swing states with an unpredictable outcome in a tight presidential race that has exposed deep cultural and gender divides on issues that include reproductive rights, immigration and the economy.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for divide 
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Verb
For about a decade residents and city leaders were divided over how to redevelop the area, with some in support of maximizing the number of housing and office spaces and others resistant to adopting such large projects.
—Noun
Abramovitch explained how Swift could have been an exception to this rule because her career in both country and pop music gives her fans on both sides of the American political divide.
—Dictionary Entries Near divide
Cite this Entry
“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divide. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
divide
1 of 2 verb
di·vide
də-ˈvīd 
divided; dividing
1
a
: to separate into two or more parts or pieces
b
: to separate into classes or categories
c
2
a
: to give out in shares
b
: to own or use in common : share
3
: to cause to be separate, different, or apart from one another
4
a
: to perform or use in mathematical division
b
: to subject (a number) to the operation of finding how many times it contains another number
divide 42 by 14
c
: to use as a divisor
divide 14 into 42
5
a
: to undergo cell division
the cell divides
divide
2 of 2 noun
: a dividing ridge between drainage areas : watershed
Medical Definition
divide
verb
di·vide
də-ˈvīd
divided; dividing
: to separate into two or more parts
divide a nerve surgically
: to undergo replication, multiplication, fission, or separation into parts
actively dividing cells
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