divisioon

Divisioon is a term used in several languages to denote a large military formation. In many armed forces, a divisioon is designed to operate as a self-sustained unit capable of independent battlefield action, consisting of multiple brigades or their equivalents and supported by artillery, engineers, logistics, and other services. The precise size and structure of a divisioon varies by country and historical period, but it is generally larger than a brigade and smaller than an army.

The divisioon often is commanded by a general officer and includes command and control elements, staff sections, and support units to maintain combat readiness, supply, communications, and medical support. Historically, divisions emerged during the early modern period and became a standard element of modern military organization in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially in European and later global armies; their roles ranged from open-field operations to complex coordination at higher levels of command.

Spelling and usage differ by language; some languages use divisioon, divisioona, division, or other cognates that reflect local orthography. In English-language contexts, the closest equivalent is division. The concept remains a common building block in many nations’ military structures, though some forces have shifted toward brigade-based or corps-centric organizations in recent decades.