fraction

noun

frac·​tion ˈfrak-shən 

1

a

: a numerical representation (such as ¾, ⅝, 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 of fraction

• fragment
• piece
• bit
• 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

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of snagging hard-to-find items (sometimes from designer brands) for a fraction of the original price. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026

Taking a page from the viral Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans playbook, these stretchy yet sturdy pull-on wide-leg pants deliver a similar look for a fraction of the price. —Annie Blackman, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026

Many growers have orchards Del Monte asked them to grow within the past few years, meaning those trees may produce only a fraction of their eventual harvest, and are far from recouping their upfront cost. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026

But with a wide-net casting call doubling as a promotional event, Fox is hoping to make an early splash and inspire even a fraction of the original’s audience to return to the sand. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026

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