subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˈsəb-də-ˌvi-zhən 

1

: an act or instance of subdividing

2

: something produced by subdividing: such as

a

: a subordinate part of a larger whole

political subdivisions

b

: a tract of land surveyed and divided into lots for purposes of sale

especially : one with houses built on it

3

: a category in botanical classification ranking below a division and above a class

Examples of subdivision in a Sentence

a political subdivision of the state

Recent Examples on the Web

The home’s size and layout make a subdivision project possible, press materials claim. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026

Pulte’s six-story proposal will require the Village Board to approve its rezoning and subdivision relief application, which must first gain an endorsement from the Plan Commission. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Centuries later, as mechanical clocks became increasingly precise, these astronomical subdivisions were adopted for timekeeping as well. — Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Risso may be in the Gilead Ridge area, police said, referring to the subdivision near Gilead Road and Beatties Ford Road on the western side of town. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subdivision

• cablevision
• circumcision
• imprecision
• indecision
• supervision
• television
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision

Kids Definition

subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˌsəb-də-ˈvizh-ən 

1

: the act or process of subdividing

2

: one of the parts into which something is subdivided

Medical Definition

subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˈsəb-də-ˌvi-zhən 

: a category in botanical classification ranking below a division and above a class

Legal Definition

subdivision

noun

sub·​di·​vi·​sion ˈsəb-də-ˌvi-zhən 

1

: an act or instance of subdividing

obtain approval of his subdivision of the land

2

: a tract of land subdivided into lots

to provide streets and sewers for the subdivision

3

: a part made by subdividing

as prescribed in subdivision one of this section