What is division? Pronunciation and usage in English

division means . Learn how to pronounce and use division through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of division

divisionnoun

/dɪˈvɪʒn/
Definition & pronunciation of division

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "division" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few ways to say it:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /dɪˈvɪʒən/ (dee-VISH-uhn)

Let's break that down further:

  • dɪ: Sounds like "dee" as in "deep."
  • ˈvɪ: This is the stressed syllable. It sounds like “viss,” with a short “i” sound (like in “bit”). It's a bit of a tricky sound – try to make your tongue slightly higher in your mouth than when saying "vis."
  • ʒən: Sounds like "zhun" – like the "s" in "measure" or "vision." It’s a voiced postalveolar fricative.

Here are some variations you might hear:

  • /dɪ-ˈvɪ-ʒən/ (dee-VEE-zhun) - This is slightly more formal and breaks it into three syllables.
  • /dɪ-ˈvɪ-ʃən/ (dee-VISH-uhn) - Some people soften the "zh" sound slightly.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the stressed syllable ("viss"). That's the most important part to get right.
  • The "zh" sound is key. Practice saying "measure" or "vision" – that’s the sound you need.
  • Listen to native speakers. The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. You can find audio examples on:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you another example word with a similar sound?

Usage and examples with the word division in English

Let's break down how to use the word "division" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a detailed look, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (Referring to a Group or Section)

  • Basic Definition: A division is a part of a larger whole; a group of people or things that are separated for a specific purpose.

    • Example: "The company is divided into four divisions: marketing, sales, research, and operations." (These are separate departments)
    • Example: “The student body was divided into teams for the competition.” (Groups of students)
    • Example: “The map shows the country divided into regions.” (Geographical divisions)

  • More Specific Types of Division:

    • Military Division: Relating to an arm of the armed forces. “The military division was responsible for defense.”
    • Administrative Division: A branch or department within an organization. “The accounting division handles all financial records.”
    • Legal Division: A department within a law firm or government agency. “The prosecution’s division is investigating the case.”
    • Social Division: Differences in social groups, classes, or status. “The division between rich and poor is a major social problem.”
    • Religious Division: Groups based on religious beliefs. "The church was divided over the issue of baptism.”

2. As a Verb (To Separate or Split)

  • Basic Definition: To divide something into parts or sections.

    • Example: “The teacher divided the students into groups.”
    • Example: “She divided the cake equally among her friends.”
    • Example: “They divided the land into plots for sale.”

  • More Complex Meanings as a Verb:

    • To Split (into factions or opinions): “The party was divided over the new policy.” (Meaning they disagreed strongly and split up.)
    • To Divide (Resources): "The government divided its budget between education and defense."

3. Mathematical Division

  • Technical Meaning: A fundamental mathematical operation – splitting a number into equal parts.
    • Example: "My phone bill was divided by two people, so each person paid $50." (50 is the result of dividing the bill)

4. Figurative Language (Less Common, but Important)

  • Division of Labor: Refers to the way tasks are divided among people to increase efficiency. "The division of labor in this factory is highly specialized."
  • Division of Responsibility: Describing how tasks or duties are split between different people. “The division of responsibility between the parents and the nanny was clearly outlined.”

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun A part of a whole; a group “The company has several divisions.”
Noun (Specific) Specific types of groups “The military division is… ”
Verb To separate or split “She divided the pizza into slices.”
Verb (Figurative) To split (opinions, etc.) “The team was divided on the strategy.”
Mathematical The operation of splitting/sharing “The number 10 divided by 2 is 5.”

Tips for Using "Division" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning of "division" is intended.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like “part,” “section,” “group,” “split,” or “share,” depending on the specific context.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "division" in? (e.g., a business report, a casual conversation, a math problem, a social discussion?)

Synonyms for the word division

Comment ()