fraction

noun

frac·​tion ˈfrak-shən 

1

a

: a numerical representation (such as ³/₄, ⁵/₈, or 3.234) indicating the quotient of two numbers

b(1)

: a piece broken off : fragment

(2)

: a discrete unit : portion

2

: one of several portions (as of a distillate) separable by fractionation

3

: bit, little

a fraction closer

Synonyms

• bit
• fragment
• piece
• scrap

Examples of fraction in a Sentence

a fraction of an inch

if even a tiny fraction of that cookie broke off and fell into the delicate watch works, it could mess things up

Recent Examples on the Web

Clinical signs of flu occur in only a fraction of cases, so some experts fear that the virus may be hiding in untested animals. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

This has left other players struggling to capture even a small fraction of the market. —Jeroen Van Hautte, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

That’s a small fraction given some of the world’s carmakers, including those in the luxury space, sold millions of vehicles. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 22 Apr. 2024

The owner of the Dali cargo ship filed a federal lawsuit earlier this month denying responsibility for the accident and seeking to limit the total payout to $43.7 million, a fraction of the billions the cleanup and bridge rebuild is expected to cost. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024

So while mandates tie up new funding for the district, the new money does put a dent in overall costs, albeit a fraction of what the district needs overall. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 2024

Each stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of the Company's common stock will instead receive one whole share of common stock. —Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2024

Deh Nee, a junior at Messmer High School, said programs that give college credit to high schoolers are helpful, but only cover a fraction of the cost of a degree. —Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024

Collectively, these school systems represent a tiny fraction of the more than 1,000 in California, which is why a statewide initiative implanting their values in the state constitution could have such a sweeping effect. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fraccioun "act or result of breaking, mathematical fraction," borrowed from Medieval Latin frāctiōn-, frāctiō "breaking, division into parts, mathematical fraction," going back to Late Latin, "breaking, weariness, illness," from Latin frag-, variant stem of frangere "to break, shatter" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at break entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fraction

• common fraction
• complex fraction
• continued fraction
• decimal fraction
• improper fraction
• partial fraction
• proper fraction
• simple fraction

Kids Definition

fraction

noun

frac·​tion ˈfrak-shən 

1

: a number (as ½, ¾, or 3.323) that represents a number of equal parts of a whole or the division of one number by another

2

: a part of a whole

Medical Definition

fraction

noun

frac·​tion ˈfrak-shən 

: one of several portions (as of a distillate) separable by fractionation

gamma globulin is a fraction of blood plasma