1the action of separating something into parts or the process of being separated:the division of the land into small fieldsa 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
[count noun] an instance of members of a legislative body separating into two groups to vote:the new clause was agreed without a division
Logic the action of dividing a wider class into two or more subclasses.
2difference or disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension:a growing sense of division between north and south [count noun]:a country with ethnic and cultural divisions
3the process of dividing one number by another:no multiplication or division is necessary
Mathematics the process of dividing a matrix, vector, or other quantity by another under specific rules to obtain a quotient.
4 [count noun] each of the parts into which something is divided:the main divisions of the book
a major section of an organization, with responsibility for a particular area of activity: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 or weight:the club will finish second in Division One
a part of a county, country, or city defined for administrative or political purposes:a licensing division of a district
British a part of a county or borough forming a parliamentary constituency:he was MP for the Lancaster division of North Lancashire
Botany a principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom, equivalent to the phylum in zoology.
Zoology any subsidiary category between major levels of classification.
5 [count noun] a partition:the villagers lived in a communal building and there were no solid divisions between neighbours
division of labour
the assignment of different parts of a manufacturing process or task to different people in order to improve efficiency.
