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

The couple recruited young women including some from lower-income neighborhoods to steal from Ulta and Sephora stores, and the ringleader resold the merchandise for a fraction of its retail price in an Amazon storefront, according to the indictment. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 19 July 2024

Noncitizen ballots in the last four school board elections accounted for a fraction of the more than 1.3 million total votes cast. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2024

Restaurant savings:Too Good To Go app links to unsold food at a fraction of the cost. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 July 2024

And that is with a fraction of Netflix’s budget and output volume. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 July 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