division

noun

də-ˈvi-zhən How to pronounce division (audio)
Definition of divisionnext
1
as in divider
something that divides, separates, or marks off we poked our heads over the division between the yards to see what the fuss was about

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the complaints division handled all of the calls from the angry townsfolk

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in category
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic one of the major divisions of birds

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4
as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the assembly line was a major development in the division of labor among workers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in distribution
the act or process of giving out something to each member of a group the person in charge of the division of the profits among the business partners

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6
as in discord
a lack of agreement or harmony that church has been racked by division for some time now, and a split into two denominations seems unavoidable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word division distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of division are fragment, member, part, piece, portion, section, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When would fragment be a good substitute for division?

While in some cases nearly identical to division, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When can member be used instead of division?

While the synonyms member and division are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

Where would part be a reasonable alternative to division?

The words part and division can be used in similar contexts, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

In what contexts can piece take the place of division?

In some situations, the words piece and division are roughly equivalent. However, piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When is portion a more appropriate choice than division?

Although the words portion and division have much in common, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When could section be used to replace division?

The synonyms section and division are sometimes interchangeable, but section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

When is it sensible to use segment instead of division?

The words segment and division are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of division When these pillars stand strong and tall, democracy strengthens, social divisions narrow, and the American Dream of economic prosperity is reachable by many rather than existing as a privilege reserved for a few. —Jacob Walthour, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026 The elite section that prosecutes public corruption was gutted; the Civil Rights Division, which protects the Constitutional rights of all Americans, experienced a mass exodus of career attorneys who say the division is being turned into an enforcement arm of the White House. —Ryan Lucas, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026 The division has worked on activations for global brands including the NFL’s Super Bowls, the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026 The company’s ticketing division is led by Ticketmaster, which provides primary ticket sales and distribution services for concerts and other live events, as well as ticket resales through its secondary marketplace. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for division
Recent Examples of Synonyms for division
  1. divider
  2. department
  3. category
  4. split
  5. distribution
  6. discord
  7. fence
  8. agency
Noun
  • The 18-wheeler went left to avoid hitting Ward but still hit him, causing Ward to tumble forward and collide with a concrete divider, peace officers wrote in the report.
    — Timia Cobb Breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The map carves more than 70,000 minority residents out of Cleaver’s district and used Troost Avenue, Kansas City’s historic racial dividing line, as a divider between the 4th and 5th Congressional Districts, The Star previously revealed.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of divider
Noun
  • Shackelford accused Hernandez of corruption, and her own department of enabling and covering it up, in a detailed whistleblower complaint to DeSantis’ Chief Inspector General.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Because those two sports are going to drive and carry everybody else in the department.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of department
Noun
  • Achiuwa had 18 points and 15 rebounds by halftime, matching his season high in the latter category.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Brooklyn did have a 48-41 advantage in bench points, but the Hornets, still hunting for their spot in the Play-In Tournament, were better in just about every other statistical category that mattered.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of category
Noun
  • Actor Todd Bridges has officially filed for divorce from his wife of three months after revealing their split.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • For 2025, Starz compensation table also listed Jon Feltheimer and Jimmy Barge, chief executive and chief financial officer of the old Lionsgate and currently of Lionsgate Studios, who received pro-rata comp for the year up through the split of, respectively, $224k and $129k.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • His short film, Adam’s Song (2023), screened at a multitude of festivals and won awards at the Nashville Film Festival and the Ouray International Film Festival before being acquired for online distribution by Wong Fu Productions, NextShark, and FilmShortage, and broadcast TV distribution by PBS.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In response, almost all insurers rationed the drug’s distribution via prior authorizations and coverage denials (a problem that persists today).
    — Michael Rose, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of distribution
Noun
  • But the movie's release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Immediately after the Hamas attack, the mood at Beth El was sombre, but there were few signs of discord.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of discord
Noun
  • The art of hitting has also been instilled in the 5-foot-7, 150-pound Koehnemann, who may not be driving the ball over the fence yet but does have a walk-off hit already.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The logo was featured on a pink wall in LA, while in New Jersey, it was featured on a lock fastened to a fence.
    — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of fence
Noun
  • Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term directing federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of babies born in the United States if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • That’s because developers reportedly went to other agencies, most often Port KC, or weren’t subject to the requirements.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of agency

Browse Nearby Words

divisible
division
divisional
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Cite this Entry

“Division.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/division. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on division

Nglish: Translation of division for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about division

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