Division Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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division
[dɪˈvɪʒ(ə)n ]
Definitions
mathematics
The action of separating something into parts or the process of being separated.
Synonyms
partition, separation, splitting.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| division |
Best used in a mathematical or organizational sense, where something is divided into parts.
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| separation |
Used when referring to the act of making entities distinct or apart from each other, sometimes in social or emotional contexts.
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| splitting |
Used informally and can imply force or energy; often used when something is broken or torn apart.
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| partition |
Often used when something is physically divided, usually with a barrier or a wall.
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Examples of usage
- The division of the cake into equal slices was done carefully.
- She had to learn long division in her math class.
organization
A separate section or part of a large organization.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| division |
Used to describe major units within a large organization or system, often for administrative purposes. It implies a high level of segregation.
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| department |
Used in organizations to refer to specific areas handling particular functions or responsibilities, usually within a larger division.
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| section |
Often used to describe smaller parts or subsections within a department or a document. It denotes a segment focused on a specific area.
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| branch |
Commonly used to refer to the locations or local offices of a larger entity, like banks, libraries, or government offices.
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Examples of usage
- The company's sales division is responsible for the European market.
- He works in the marketing division of the corporation.
sports
A group of teams in a sports league that compete against each other.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| division |
Use when referring to the act of separating something into parts or to describe sections within a larger organization or structure. It often carries a formal tone.
|
| group |
Better for more general contexts where you are referring to a collection of people, animals, or things. It is casual and widely used.
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| category |
Ideal for classifying items or concepts based on shared characteristics. Commonly used in contexts related to organization, sorting, and classification.
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| league |
Best used in contexts related to sports or competitions. It can also be used metaphorically to describe high levels of skill or quality.
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Examples of usage
- The National Football League has two conferences each with four divisions.
- Our team won the championship in the Eastern Division.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Mathematics
- In math, division is one of the four basic operations, which includes addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
- The symbol for division is '÷', but sometimes a line is used, like in fractions.
- Long division is a method used to solve complex division problems step by step.
Historical Origins
- The concept of dividing numbers dates back to ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians, who used it for trade.
- The term 'division' comes from the Latin word 'divisio', meaning 'separation'.
- In ancient Greece, mathematicians such as Euclid laid the foundation for division in their arithmetic studies.
Cultural Significance
- In some cultures, sharing food equally is a tradition, reflecting the principle of division in social practices.
- Sports teams often have divisions based on skill levels, allowing fair competition among varying abilities.
- In music, a division can refer to the way parts of a song are separated or arranged, influencing the overall harmony.
Psychology
- Division of labor in psychology explores how dividing tasks can enhance productivity and efficiency.
- Social division can impact group dynamics and lead to feelings of inclusion or exclusion among people.
- Cognitive division, or splitting information into categories, helps with memory and understanding complex concepts.
Literature
- In literature, division can refer to the separation of themes or characters that reflect different viewpoints.
- The concept of division is often used in narratives to show conflict or contrast between characters or ideas.
- Divisions in poetry, like stanzas, help structure and emphasize different thoughts or emotions within a poem.
Origin of 'division'
The word 'division' originated from the Latin word 'dividere', which means 'to separate'. The concept of division has been present in human societies since ancient times, with various methods developed over the centuries to divide and separate things. In mathematics, division is one of the four basic operations, along with addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The term 'division' is widely used in different fields such as mathematics, organization, and sports to denote separation, grouping, or competition.
See also: dividable, divide, divided, dividend, dividends, divider, dividers, dividing, divisible, divisive, divisor, divisors, misdivide, redivide, subdivide, subdivision, undivided.