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

But in 2016, the Connecticut Supreme Court reinstated his conviction in a divided decision. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024

Their slim majority could underscore legislative gains for the party that is seemingly divided — presenting concerns about fractures in GOP support for some of Trump’s agenda. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 21 Dec. 2024

After winning a majority of House seats in the November election, Republicans chose Hall to take the speaker's gavel starting next year, ushering in a new era of divided government. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 14 Dec. 2024

France’s ongoing political crisis was unleashed when Macron called snap parliamentary elections for July, a poll which resulted in a divided parliament that left the president’s centrist lawmakers sandwiched by powerful blocs on the left and the far-right. —Rob Picheta, CNN, 13 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