divided

adjective

di·​vid·​ed də-ˈvī-dəd 

1

a

: separated into parts or pieces

b

of a leaf : cut into distinct parts by incisions extending to the base or to the midrib

c

: having a barrier (such as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions

a divided highway

2

a

: disagreeing with each other : disunited

b

: directed or moved toward conflicting interests, states, or objects

divided loyalties

3

: separated by distance

familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided

—James Joyce

dividedly

də-ˈvī-dəd-lē 

adverb

dividedness

də-ˈvī-dəd-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• disunited
• split

Examples of divided in a Sentence

Experts are sharply divided on the issue.

The issue has created a deeply divided nation.

She feels like she only gets her mother's divided attention.

Recent Examples on the Web

The cars were both in the westbound lanes of the divided highway. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2024

As a divided Germany grinds towards reconciliation during the latter part of the film, the race between the surveillance state’s omnipresent brutality and Wiesler’s flicker of humanity forms a decidedly modern tragedy. —Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024

Reporter Patrick Lohmann has lived in New Mexico for most of his life, but covering the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire required building trust in a divided community. —Patrick Lohmann, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2024

The divided high court found then that the impasse in Washington over immigration reform did not justify state intrusion. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2024

As Today’s WorldView reported last month, polling data suggests that the Democrats have become more divided on the Israel-Palestinian conflict since the conflict began on Oct. 7. —Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024

Meanwhile, council members remain divided on 41.18. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024

With a sharply divided and narrow GOP majority in the chamber, getting anything passed has proven to be a difficult task. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024

Republicans, who hold the slim majority, face a divided government with Democrats in the governor's and attorney general's offices. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing divided

• divided highway
• divided loyalty

Kids Definition

divided

adjective

1

a

: separated into parts or pieces

b

: having a barrier (as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions

a divided highway

2

: disagreeing with each other

divided over the issue

Legal Definition

divided

adjective

di·​vid·​ed

1

a

: separated into parts, classes, or portions

divided coverage

divided custody

b

in the civil law of Louisiana : separately owned, possessed, or held : no longer held in indivision

owner of a divided part or of the entire estate following partition

—Louisiana Civil Code

granted in divided portions

2

: not united : failing to agree

a divided Court