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 Watergate case marked a high point for an often divided and contentious court and helped bring together a nation that was in the grip of a constitutional crisis. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024

Given the deficit and a divided government, schools stayed even, said Chuck Essigs, governmental relations director for the Association of Arizona School Budget Officials. —Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 18 June 2024

The American electorate is more divided than ever — and the question is not how ugly this debate will get but whether there are many minds left to convince. —Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024

Female voters were more divided than in the governor’s race, with 47 percent backing Biden and 44 percent supporting Trump, which was within the poll’s margin of error. —Maegan Vazquez, Washington Post, 18 June 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