Finesentence logo

Divide: meaning, definitions and examples

➗
Add to dictionary

divide

 

[ dɪˈvaɪd ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

mathematics

To separate into equal parts or groups.

Synonyms

partition, separate, split

Examples of usage

  • She divided the cake into six pieces.
  • The students divided themselves into teams of four.
Context #2 | Verb

social

To cause disagreement or conflict between people.

Synonyms

divide up, sever, split

Examples of usage

  • The controversial issue divided the community.
  • The political debate divided the nation.
Context #3 | Noun

mathematics

A process or operation in which a number is divided by another.

Synonyms

partition, separation, split

Examples of usage

  • The division of 12 by 3 is 4.
  • Long division is a method for dividing numbers.

Translations

Translations of the word "divide" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dividir

🇮🇳 विभाजित करना (vibhajit karna)

🇩🇪 teilen

🇮🇩 membagi

🇺🇦 ділити

🇵🇱 dzielić

🇯🇵 分ける (wakeru)

🇫🇷 diviser

🇪🇸 dividir

🇹🇷 bölmek

🇰🇷 나누다 (nanuda)

🇸🇦 يقسم (yaqsim)

🇨🇿 dělit

🇸🇰 deliť

🇨🇳 分开 (fēnkāi)

🇸🇮 deliti

🇮🇸 skipta

🇰🇿 бөлу (bölu)

🇬🇪 გაყოფა (gaqopa)

🇦🇿 bölmək

🇲🇽 dividir

Etymology

The word 'divide' originated from the Latin word 'dividere', which means 'to force apart'. The concept of division has been used in mathematics for centuries to represent the splitting of quantities into equal parts. In social contexts, division can refer to the separation of people or ideas, leading to conflict or disagreement. The symbol for division, the obelus (➗), has been used since the 17th century to represent this mathematical operation.

See also: dividable, divided, dividend, dividends, divider, dividers, dividing, divisible, division, divisive, divisor, divisors, misdivide, redivide, subdivide, subdivision, undivided.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,293, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.