divider: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; widely used in technical, academic, and everyday contexts.
Quick answer
What does “divider” mean?
Something that causes or marks a separation or boundary, either physical or abstract.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Something that causes or marks a separation or boundary, either physical or abstract.
Can refer to a physical partition (e.g., a room divider), a mathematical instrument (e.g., a pair of compasses), an electrical component, or something that creates a distinction (e.g., a divisive issue).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The mathematical tool (dividers/compasses) might be called a 'pair of compasses' more often in UK, while 'dividers' is unambiguous in both. In stationery, 'divider' is common for a binder with sections in both.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In political/social contexts, can carry negative connotations (e.g., 'a divider of people').
Frequency
Comparatively common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “divider” in a Sentence
[divider] + [between + NOUN PHRASE][divider] + [of + NOUN PHRASE][ADJECTIVE] + [divider]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “divider” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'Divider' is not a standard verb form. The verb is 'divide'.
American English
- N/A - 'Divider' is not a standard verb form. The verb is 'divide'.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'Divider' is not typically used as an adjective. The adjectival form is 'dividing' as in 'a dividing wall'.
American English
- N/A - 'Divider' is not typically used as an adjective. The adjectival form is 'dividing' as in 'a dividing line'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In offices, a 'divider' refers to partitions between workstations (cubicle dividers). In finance, a 'stock split' might be described using the verb 'divide', but 'divider' is not typically used.
Academic
Used in mathematics (dividers as a tool), geometry, and social sciences to describe factors that create social division (e.g., 'The policy acted as a class divider.').
Everyday
Commonly refers to physical objects: room dividers, binder dividers for notes, or the barrier in the middle of a road.
Technical
In electronics, a 'voltage divider' is a standard circuit. In road engineering, 'traffic divider' or 'median divider' is standard terminology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “divider”
- Confusing 'divider' (thing that divides) with 'divisor' (math: number you divide by). Using 'divider' as a synonym for 'division' (the act or process).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'partition' is almost always a physical, often structural, wall or panel that separates areas (e.g., office partition). A 'divider' can be physical but is often less permanent or structural (e.g., a curtain, a screen, a road barrier) and has broader abstract uses (e.g., a social divider).
Yes, but carefully. 'Dividers' (plural) refers to a measuring compass, a tool for transferring measurements. The term 'divider' on its own is not standard for the mathematical concept of a 'divisor' (e.g., in 10 ÷ 2, 2 is the divisor).
Yes, especially in social, political, or rhetorical contexts. Calling someone or something 'a divider' implies they create conflict, disunity, or harmful separation between people or groups.
The main difference is in the final '-er' sound. In British English, it's /dɪˈvaɪ.dər/ with a clear schwa /ə/. In American English, it's /dɪˈvaɪ.dɚ/ with an 'r-coloured' schwa /ɚ/, where the 'r' sound is pronounced.
Something that causes or marks a separation or boundary, either physical or abstract.
Divider is usually neutral to formal; widely used in technical, academic, and everyday contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The great divider (of) - something that causes major division, e.g., 'Money is often the great divider in families.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VIDEO being split in two. A DIVIDER is what you put in the middle to create the two parts.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEPARATION IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER / IDEAS ARE OBJECTS (A divisive idea is a 'divider').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'divider' be LEAST appropriate?