fractional

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adjective frac·tion·al \ ˈfrak-shnəl , -shə-nᵊl \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of fractional

1 :of, relating to, or being a fraction

2 :of, relating to, or being fractional currency

3 :relatively small :inconsiderable

4 :of, relating to, or involving a process for separating components of a mixture through differences in physical or chemical properties

fractional distillation

—

fractionally

adverb

See fractional defined for English-language learners

See fractional defined for kids

Examples of fractional in a Sentence

There has been a fractional rise in the price of the stock.
There is only a fractional improvement in the new version.

Recent Examples of fractional from the Web

But the growth part of this population… wants the fractional ownership of it.

— dee-ann durbin, The Seattle Times, "Insider Q&A: General Motors learning the rental business," 20 Aug. 2017
However, if Barbara Mikkelson sold her single share in five, fractional pieces, then there would six owners, with each owner maintaining individual rights to the shares.

— jennifer van grove, chicagotribune.com, "Snopes.com ownership dispute puts future of fact-checking site in question," 25 July 2017
On the other hand, the more exotically flavored fractional beasties are numbers like 3/2, 4/3, and 27/11 whose numerators are all greater than their denominators.

— math dude jason marshall, Scientific American, "What Are Mixed Fractions?," 8 July 2017
And since the boats are sometimes lifted off the water for 100 percent of the race, fractional changes in shape and flexibility can be the difference.

— chris museler, New York Times, "Emirates Team New Zealand Earns Rematch of 2013 America’s Cup vs. Team Oracle USA," 12 June 2017
The federal government would make only a fractional down payment on rebuilding the nation’s aging infrastructure.

— julie hirschfeld davis and kate kelly, New York Times, "Trump Plans to Shift Infrastructure Funding to Cities, States and Business," 3 June 2017
Last September, U.S. District Court judge Louis Stanton handed BMI a victory by rejecting the DOJ's position that consent decrees don't bar the issuance of fractional licenses.

— eriq gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Viacom, Google on Same Copyright Side in Appellate Fight Over Music Licensing," 2 June 2017
The following year Flexjet, a fractional-jet ownership company, placed an order for 20 AS2 aircraft.

— thomas black, Bloomberg.com, "Billionaire's Dream of Supersonic Luxury Jet Gets Assist From GE," 22 May 2017
That’s why, the brief argues, the Appeals Court should reverse the District Court’s declaratory judgment that the consent decree neither bars fractional licensing nor requires full-works licensing.

— ed christman, Billboard, "Department of Justice Appeals Consent Decree Ruling, BMI Hits Back," 18 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fractional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fractional

fraction + ¹-al

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First Known Use: 1650

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FRACTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

fractional

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adjective

Definition of fractional for English Language Learners

mathematics : of or relating to a fraction
: very small
: not complete

FRACTIONAL Defined for Kids

fractional

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adjective frac·tion·al \ ˈfrak-shə-nᵊl \

Definition of fractional for Students

1 :of, relating to, or being a fraction

fractional numbers

2 :fairly small

fractional improvement

Medical Dictionary

fractional

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adjective frac·tion·al \ -shən-ᵊl, -shnəl \

medical Definition of fractional

:of, relating to, or involving a process for separating components of a mixture through differences in physical or chemical properties

fractional distillation

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Spanish Central: Translation of fractional Nglish: Translation of fractional for Spanish speakers

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FRACTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

fractional

Definition of fractional for English Language Learners

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fractional

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fractional

medical Definition of fractional

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