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

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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

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3
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

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 The show is produced under the network’s news division. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 June 2026 HorrorHound was founded in 2005 as a magazine, and has grown to include a convention, film festival, film division and music division. William Earl, Variety, 25 June 2026 Is the company selling an asset, refinancing debt, or separating a division? Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 And yet some Democrats were clear-eyed about the work that lies ahead to bring the party together as new divisions flared in the wake of Mamdani's success. ABC News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for division
Recent Examples of Synonyms for division
Noun
  • The result is uncommon room layouts like the tri-suite king room equipped with two twin-sized beds and a king bed split by a privacy divider that doubles as a playful art installation.
    Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Some still come to pick a fight over Lincoln as a uniter or a divider, a figure to be lauded or loathed, or connect Lincoln to modern divides.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The department has also opened Title IX investigations in North Carolina and Michigan and issued warning letters to school districts in Colorado and Kansas.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • According to the bill, the state would have to produce an annual average salary report for the 20 local departments that Cal Fire is stacked against and make sure state firefighter pay is within 15% of that average.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Trump valued more than two dozen assets at over $50 million, which is the highest disclosure category on the form.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2026
  • The report also highlighted improvements in clearance rates and an overall decrease in major crime categories, including robberies.
    CBS Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • The Supreme Court has declined to resolve whether innocent taxpayers can face unlimited IRS audit exposure when a return preparer commits fraud, leaving a split in the federal courts intact.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Sara Foster still lives with her ex, Tommy Haas, two years after their split.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Her curriculum is built around the details that working producers confront every day, from insurance requirements and safety planning to investor conversations and distribution readiness.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • Rivian opened a 480,000-square-foot parts distribution center in Metro Air Park in 2025, and has service centers in West Sacramento and Rocklin.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • But the discord between the two leaders stretches far beyond disagreements over the conflict in the Middle East.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 24 June 2026
  • Despite the discord, the regime is likely to have the final say.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • The first batter Barnes faced, Jonah Heim, deposited a 444-foot home run on the roof of the Dodgers’ clubhouse beyond the center-field fence.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • According to Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service, roughly 70 fence post tops were also thrown into the pool.
    Marco Gacina, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The average time for an applicant to be on-duty is now 326 days for special agents and 256 days for police officers, the agency said.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Three of the reports stemmed from consumers swallowing the metal pieces and seeking medical treatment to remove them from their digestive tract or throat, the agency said.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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