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

For some, the assassination was held up as evidence of a divided country obsessed with bloodshed. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024

The divided region has remained a flashpoint for nearly half a century, including throughout the ongoing 14-month war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, which has been backed by Iran and its Axis of Resistance coalition, of which Syria was a member. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Just more than 1 in 4 respondents said the country will become more divided, while another 19 percent don’t think the matter will change at all, according to the poll. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024

In divided times, employees look to leaders for cues on how to respond to tension. —Andrea Carter, Forbes, 12 Dec. 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