/ dɪˈvɪʒn; NAmE / noun
INTO SEPARATE PARTS
1.
[ U , sing. ] division (of sth between A and B) | division (of sth) (into sth) the process or result of dividing into separate parts; the process or result of dividing sth or sharing it out :
cell division
the division of labour between the sexes
a fair division of time and resources
the division of the population into age groups
MATHEMATICS
2.
[ U ] the process of dividing one number by another :
the division sign (÷)
—compare multiplication
—see also long division
DISAGREEMENT / DIFFERENCE
3.
[ C , U ] division (in / within sth) | division (between A and B) a disagreement or difference in opinion, way of life, etc., especially between members of a society or an organization :
There are deep divisions in the party over the war.
the work of healing the divisions within society
divisions between rich and poor
social / class divisions
PART OF ORGANIZATION
4.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] ( abbr. Div. ) a large and important unit or section of an organization :
the company's sales division
IN SPORT
5.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] ( abbr. Div. ) (in Britain) one of the group of teams that a sport competition is divided into, especially in football ( soccer ) :
the first division / division one
a first-division team
PART OF ARMY
6.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] ( abbr. Div. ) a unit of an army, consisting of several brigades or regiments :
the Guards Armoured Division
BORDER
7.
[ C ] a line that divides sth :
A hedge forms the division between their land and ours.
IN PARLIAMENT
8.
[ C ] ( technical ) the separation of members of the British parliament into groups to vote for or against sth :
The Bill was read without a division.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French devisiun , from Latin divisio(n-) , from the verb dividere force apart, remove.