subdivide

verb

sub·​di·​vide ˌsəb-də-ˈvīd 

ˈsəb-də-ˌvīd

subdivided; subdividing; subdivides

transitive verb

1

: to divide the parts of into more parts

2

: to divide into several parts

especially : to divide (a tract of land) into building lots

intransitive verb

: to separate or become separated into subdivisions

subdividable

ˌsəb-də-ˈvī-də-bəl 

ˈsəb-də-ˌvī-

adjective

subdivider noun

Examples of subdivide in a Sentence

The house is being subdivided into several apartments.

The people who attend the conference can be subdivided into three distinct groups.

He plans to subdivide his property.

The land will be subdivided into building lots.

Recent Examples on the Web

Today it is divided into 11 distinct lots that are subdivided into parcels from which single vineyard wines are made; besides the White Bones Chardonnay, Adrianna Vineyard is also the home of White Stones Chardonnay, Fortuna Terrae Malbec, River Malbec, and Mundus Bacillus Tarrea Malbec. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

The history of the Queen of Elysian Heights is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been built in 1895, around the time when the community was first subdivided. —Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin subdividere, from Latin sub- + dividere to divide

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

subdivide

verb

sub·​di·​vide ˌsəb-də-ˈvīd 

1

: to divide the parts of something into more parts

2

: to divide into several parts

especially : to divide a piece of land into building lots

Legal Definition

subdivide

transitive verb

sub·​di·​vide ˌsəb-də-ˈvīd, ˈsəb-də-ˌ 

: to divide into several parts

specifically : to divide (a tract of land) into two or more lots for sale or building development