division

di·vi·sion / diˈvizhən/ • n. 1. the action of separating something into parts, or the process of being separated: the division of the land into small fields | a gene that helps regulate cell division. ∎  the distribution of something separated into parts: the division of his estates between the two branches of his family. ∎  an instance of members of a legislative body separating into two groups to vote for or against a bill: the new clause was agreed without a division. ∎  the action of splitting the roots of a perennial plant into parts to be replanted separately, as a means of propagation: the plant can also be easily increased by division in autumn. ∎  Logic the action of dividing a wider class into two or more subclasses. 2. disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility: a growing sense of division between north and south | a country with ethnic and cultural divisions. 3. the process or skill of dividing one number by another. See also long division, short division. ∎  Math. the process of dividing a matrix, vector, or other quantity by another under specific rules to obtain a quotient. 4. each of the parts into which something is divided: the main divisions of the book. ∎  a major unit or section of an organization, typically one handling a particular kind of work: a retail division. ∎  a group of army brigades or regiments: an infantry division. ∎  a number of teams or competitors grouped together in a sport for competitive purposes according to such characteristics as ability, size, or geographic location: the team will finish in fifth place in Division One. ∎  a part of a county, country, or city defined for administrative or political purposes: a licensing division of a district. ∎  Bot. a principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom, equivalent to the phylum in zoology. ∎  Zool. any subsidiary category between major levels of classification. 5. a partition that divides two groups or things: the villagers lived in a communal building and there were no solid divisions between neighbors. PHRASES: division of labor the assignment of different parts of a manufacturing process or task to different people in order to improve efficiency.