Definition

1. Verb:
   • To divide something into smaller parts, especially parts that are themselves divisions of a larger whole: The core meaning involves taking an already divided entity and creating further, finer divisions within it.
   • To separate into distinct portions or categories: Often used in contexts like land development, biology, or data organization to indicate a hierarchical or multi-level division.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The developer plans to subdivide the large property into individual residential lots.
  • Over time, the single research field subdivided into several specialized disciplines.
  • The biology textbook explains how cells subdivide through the process of mitosis.

Advanced Usage

• "To be subdivided into": A common passive construction describing the resulting smaller parts.
  • The final chapter is subdivided into three main sections.
• "Subdividing" (Gerund/Noun form): The act or process of creating subdivisions.
  • The subdividing of the estate was a complex legal process.

Variants and Related Words

• Subdivision (n): A part or section that is the result of subdividing; a smaller division within a larger one.
  • This neighborhood is a subdivision of the larger township.
• Subdivisible (adj): Capable of being subdivided.
  • The data set is subdivisible based on multiple criteria.

Synonyms

• Partition: To divide into parts, especially sections.
• Segment: To divide into segments or sections.
• Carve up: (Informal) To divide something, especially land or an organization, into parts.

Antonyms

• Unite: To bring together to form a single unit.
• Combine: To join or merge to form a whole.
• Amalgamate: To combine or unite to form one structure.

Related Phrases

• Further subdivision: The act of dividing something that is already divided.
  • The plan allows for the further subdivision of the plots if needed.
• Subdivide land: A common collocation in real estate and urban planning.
  • The company's proposal to subdivide the land was approved by the council.

Verb

1. divide into smaller and smaller pieces
   • This apartment cannot be subdivided any further!
2. form into subdivisions
   • The cells subdivided