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 petition came hours after a divided appeals court panel refused on procedural grounds to lift the order, which was filed Wednesday and expires on Feb. 26. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2025

In our profoundly divided country, everybody seems to agree on one thing. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025

The restaurant’s theme celebrates the best of land and sea, and the two sections of the divided restaurant reflect that. —USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

The bottom line: The more divided Republicans are on how to get reconciliation done, the better the bet that the subsidies won't be included. —Victoria Knight, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025

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