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

Only a small fraction of the population was able to vote. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025

The transcripts and other grand jury material in Florida and New York were used by prosecutors to bring initial charges against Epstein and Maxwell and represent a small fraction of the tranche of files related to the cases. —Michael Dorgan , Ashley Oliver , Bill Mears, FOXNews.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Sources speaking with the Guardian said some civilians are being held in detention centers within the city, though this is understood to be just a fraction of the overall unaccounted-for total. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Dec. 2025

Lillard in particular takes huge swings during a hallucination sequence with Vanessa that would be much cooler if a tiny fraction of the anguish in his voice was adequately shown on screen. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 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