subdivide

verb

sub·​di·​vide ˌsəb-də-ˈvīd How to pronounce subdivide (audio)
ˈsəb-də-ˌvīd
subdivided; subdividing; subdivides

transitive verb

1
: to divide the parts of into more parts
2
: to divide into several parts
especially : to divide (a tract of land) into building lots

intransitive verb

: to separate or become separated into subdivisions
subdividable
ˌsəb-də-ˈvī-də-bəl How to pronounce subdivide (audio)
ˈsəb-də-ˌvī-
adjective
subdivider noun

Examples of subdivide in a Sentence

The house is being subdivided into several apartments. The people who attend the conference can be subdivided into three distinct groups. He plans to subdivide his property. The land will be subdivided into building lots.
Recent Examples on the Web These risks were then essentially subdivided into Coverage Parts A, B or C. Each coverage part consisted of what amounted to baskets containing combinations of discrete types of risks. Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 The directive also called for sector-specific standards that subdivided the ESRS by industry, requiring businesses within a sector to report the same information. Jon McGowan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The role of Vitamin A The team built on previous work that found that the genes that build and subdivide the sea lamprey hindbrain are identical to those genes in jawed vertebrates. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024 District leaders are now working with Anaheim officials to rezone and subdivide the property, which will need to be approved by city leaders. Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 26 Jan. 2024 History: Paradise Hills, overlooking Paradise Valley east of National City, got its name in the 1920s when the area was first subdivided. San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Oct. 2023 According to the brokers, the compound can be renovated and maintained as is, possibly subdivided, or further built upon. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024 Murray Hill was founded in 1890 and named for the family that owned the farmland that was subdivided for development. Debbie Funk, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024 The building’s residents, mostly Mexican and Central American immigrants who subdivided units or slept in shifts to save money, couldn’t afford to move. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subdivide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin subdividere, from Latin sub- + dividere to divide

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subdivide was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near subdivide

Cite this Entry

“Subdivide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subdivide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

subdivide

verb
sub·​di·​vide ˌsəb-də-ˈvīd How to pronounce subdivide (audio)
1
: to divide the parts of something into more parts
2
: to divide into several parts
especially : to divide a piece of land into building lots

Legal Definition

subdivide

transitive verb
: to divide into several parts
specifically : to divide (a tract of land) into two or more lots for sale or building development
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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