Division is the correct spelling; devision is not the standard modern English spelling. If you are writing about separating something into parts, a section of an organization, or a mathematical operation, use division.
The confusion is easy to understand. The word is pronounced with a sound that can make the middle letters hard to hear clearly. People may also connect it with words such as vision, which can make the spelling feel less obvious. As a result, “devision or division” is a common spelling question.
In this guide, you will learn the correct spelling, the meaning of division, its history, and how to use it in real sentences. You will also see examples from business, academic writing, mathematics, emails, news, and everyday speech.
One important point is worth knowing: historical records do contain older forms resembling devision, but that does not make devision the correct spelling in present-day standard English. Modern dictionaries list division as the standard word.
Devision or Division: Featured Snippet & AI Overview
Division is the correct spelling in modern standard English. Devision is generally a misspelling when you mean the act of separating something into parts, a section of an organization, or the mathematical operation. For example, write “the division of the company” and “division in mathematics,” not “devision.”
Devision or Division : Quick Answer
If you are asking “Is it devision or division?”, the answer is:
Division is correct. Devision is incorrect in modern standard English.
Correct
- division
- divide
- divided
- dividing
- divisional
Incorrect in standard modern English
- devision
For example:
- Correct: The company created a new division.
- Correct: We learned division in math class.
- Correct: The division of the property took several weeks.
- Incorrect: The company created a new devision.
Cambridge defines division as the act of separating something into parts or groups. It also uses the word for a separate part of an organization and for the mathematical process of dividing one number by another.
What Does Devision or Division Mean?
Division
Division is a noun. It has several related meanings.
The most basic meaning is the act of separating something into parts or groups.
For example:
The division of the land created several smaller areas.
The word can also mean a separate part of a large organization.
She works in the sales division.
In mathematics, division means the process of finding how many times one number goes into another.
We are learning long division.
The word can also describe disagreement or separation between people or groups.
The issue caused division within the community.
These meanings share the same basic idea: something is being separated, split, or treated as separate parts. Cambridge lists separation, organizational sections, mathematical calculation, and disagreement among the main uses of division.
Devision
In a modern English spelling question, devision is normally a misspelling of division.
If you see devision in an email, essay, report, or other current English text, the writer most likely intended division.
There is an interesting historical detail, however. Historical records show devision as an older spelling in some contexts. This does not mean that it is an accepted alternative spelling in modern standard English.
The Origin of Division
The history of division helps explain why the spelling looks the way it does today.
Modern English division comes through Old French from the Latin divisio, meaning a sharing, distribution, or division. It is connected with the Latin verb dividere, meaning “to divide.”
The word developed several meanings over time.
It came to describe:
- separating something into parts
- a part separated from a larger whole
- disagreement or separation
- a military unit
- mathematical division
Historical records also show an older spelling devision. The French National Centre for Textual and Lexical Resources records devision in historical uses dating back to the medieval period.
That history is useful, but it should not confuse modern writers. Historical spelling and modern standard spelling are not always the same.
Today, dictionaries such as Cambridge and Oxford use division as the standard English form.
Devision or Division in British English vs American English
There is no spelling difference between British English and American English for this word.
Both use:
division
| British English | American English | Example |
| division | division | The company has a new division. |
| division | division | We studied division in class. |
| divisional | divisional | He manages a divisional team. |
The pronunciation is also essentially the same in British and American English. Cambridge gives the pronunciation as /dɪˈvɪʒ.ən/ in both varieties.
So you do not need to change division to another spelling when writing for a US or UK audience.
What about “devision”?
Do not use devision as a British alternative or an American alternative.
It is not a normal regional spelling choice like:
- colour / color
- organise / organize
- centre / center
Instead, division is the standard modern spelling in both varieties.
Which Version Should You Use?
United States
Use division.
The company has created a new research division.
United Kingdom
Use division.
The department was divided into two divisions.
Canada
Use division.
Canadian English also uses the standard spelling division.
Australia
Use division.
Australian English does not require devision as an alternative.
International Writing
Use division whenever you are writing in standard modern English.
This is especially important when writing for:
- websites
- school assignments
- emails
- reports
- business documents
- applications
- professional publications
Academic Writing
Use division.
The study examines the division of resources between the two groups.
Academic writing requires clear and standard spelling. Avoid devision unless you are specifically discussing a historical text or spelling form.
Business Writing
Use division.
Please forward the report to the finance division.
Business readers expect standard spelling. A simple spelling error can distract from an otherwise professional message.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation | Memory Tip |
| devision | division | The standard spelling uses i after the v. | Think divide → division. |
| divison | division | The second i is missing. | Remember div-is-ion. |
| divission | division | The word does not contain double s. | Use one s. |
| devided | divided | The verb is spelled divide, not “devide.” | Divide → divided. |
| devision of work | division of work | Use the standard noun form. | Connect it with divide. |
The easiest memory trick
Think of the word family:
divide → division
If you remember divide, the spelling of division becomes easier.
divide
division
divisional
divisor
Oxford lists divide and division as members of the same word family.
Devision or Division in Everyday Examples
In Emails
Please send the document to the finance division.
The project will require a clear division of responsibilities.
In Business Writing
Our international division handles overseas accounts.
The company plans to reorganize its sales division.
Cambridge specifically gives division as a term for a major separate part of a company or group of companies.
In News Headlines
Company Announces New Research Division
New Division Created to Manage Regional Operations
In Blog Writing
A clear division of tasks can make a project easier to manage.
On Social Media
We finally finished the math division lesson!
In Academic Writing
The study examines the division of resources among different groups.
Cell division plays an important role in biological growth.
In Daily Conversation
We need a fair division of the work.
I always found long division difficult at school.
Google Trends & Modern Usage
People searching for “devision or division” are usually trying to solve a spelling problem. The search often comes from students, writers, ESL learners, and people checking a word before using it in formal writing.
The modern standard form is clear: division.
The confusion probably comes from the sound of the word and from the fact that English contains many words whose vowel letters are not easy to predict from pronunciation.
There is also a historical reason the question can appear more complicated than it really is. Historical language records show devision as an older spelling, so the form is not completely unrelated to the history of the word. However, modern English has settled on division as the standard spelling.
Exact search-volume or Google Trends figures should not be stated without current data. The important modern usage point is simple:
If you are writing contemporary English, choose division.
Quick Comparison Table
| Version | Meaning | Correct? | Region | Example |
| division | Separation into parts; organizational section; mathematical operation | Yes | US, UK, Canada, Australia, International | The division of the company was completed. |
| devision | Historical spelling or modern misspelling depending on context | No for standard modern English | Not a modern regional variant | Avoid this spelling in current writing. |
The standard dictionary form is division, with meanings that include separation, organizational sections, mathematics, and disagreement.
Key Takeaways
- Division is the correct modern English spelling.
- Devision is not the standard spelling for current English writing.
- Division can mean separation into parts or groups.
- It can also mean a section of a company, organization, army, or sports league.
- In mathematics, division is the process of dividing one number by another.
- British and American English both use division.
- The word comes through Old French from Latin divisio.
- Historical records contain older forms such as devision, but modern writers should use division.
- A useful spelling connection is divide → division.
FAQs
1. Is it devision or division?
Division is the correct spelling in modern standard English. Use it when you mean separation into parts, a section of an organization, disagreement, or the mathematical operation. Devision is not the standard spelling for current English writing.
2. What does division mean?
Division usually means separating something into parts or groups. It can also mean a section of a large organization, such as a sales division. In mathematics, division is the process of dividing one number by another.
3. Is “devision” a real word?
In modern standard English, devision is not the normal spelling of the word. Historical sources may contain older forms of devision, but modern English uses division. Therefore, use division in essays, emails, reports, websites, and professional writing.
4. How do you spell division correctly?
The correct spelling is D-I-V-I-S-I-O-N. A useful way to remember it is to connect the noun with the verb divide. Think of the word family as divide → division. Do not insert an e after the v.
5. Is division spelled differently in British English?
No. Division is spelled the same way in British and American English. There is no standard British spelling devision and no standard American spelling devision. Writers in both varieties should use division.
6. What is the difference between division and divide?
Divide is a verb, while division is a noun. For example, you can say, “We will divide the work equally.” You can also say, “The division of the work was fair.” Both words belong to the same word family.
7. What is division in mathematics?
In mathematics, division is the process of finding how many times one number is contained in another. For example, 12 ÷ 3 = 4. Here, 12 is the dividend, 3 is the divisor, and 4 is the quotient.
8. What is the easiest way to remember the spelling of division?
Connect division with divide. Both words begin with divi-. Remember the pattern: divide → division. This makes it easier to avoid the common spelling mistake devision.
9. Can I use “devision” in an essay?
You should not use devision in a normal modern English essay. Use division instead. If you are discussing a historical document and the original source uses an older spelling, you may reproduce that spelling when quoting the source.
10. What are common phrases with division?
Common phrases include division of labor, division of responsibilities, division of property, sales division, research division, mathematical division, cell division, and division between groups. The exact meaning depends on the context.
Conclusion:
When choosing between devision or division, use division in modern English. It is the standard spelling used for the act of separating something into parts, a section of an organization, mathematical division, and several related meanings.
The spelling is the same in British and American English. You do not need to change it based on your audience or country.
The confusion is understandable because the word is not always easy to spell from its pronunciation. Historical records also contain older forms resembling devision, but those forms should not be treated as current standard English. Modern dictionaries identify division as the established form.
For schoolwork, business writing, websites, emails, and professional documents, write division.
A simple memory trick is to connect it with divide. Once you remember divide → division, the correct spelling becomes much easier.
Remember: Divide becomes division, not devision.
I’m Nora Ellis, an English language writer passionate about making grammar, spelling, and confusing words easy to understand. I share clear explanations and practical examples to help readers improve their English and use words with confidence.
