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

At 64,000 square feet, the Birch is only a fraction of the size of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025

The blockade marked the start of a prolonged crisis, with only a fraction of previous aid levels allowed in since. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 May 2025

Determining those fractions and limits—the mathematical destination of fossil fuel CO2—was a contentious scientific question, complicated by the burning of the Amazon rainforest to clear land for farming. —Ashley Braun, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025

Taylor Creek Trail For a less-trodden Zion hiking day, head to Kolob Canyons, a mosaic of sky-high cliffs and red Navajo sandstone that sees a fraction of the Zion Canyon crowds. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2025

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

Rhymes for fraction

• action
• faction
• traction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction

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