fractional

adjective

frac·​tion·​al ˈfrak-shnəl How to pronounce fractional (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
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

Example Sentences

There has been a fractional rise in the price of the stock. There is only a fractional improvement in the new version.
Recent Examples on the Web These same platforms often allow for buying fractional shares. Mia Taylor, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2023 Instead, volumes of the most expensive stock in the US have been artificially inflated by the way brokers like Robinhood report fractional trading. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 3 Aug. 2022 Clients like Revolut, Cash App, MoneyLion and Chipper Cash use DriveWealth’s software to embed fractional stock trading and other investing tools into their own apps and platforms. Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 7 June 2022 That was the case in 2021 when it was disclosed that China had tested a system known as a fractional orbital bombardment system that could potentially carry a conventional or nuclear warhead anywhere in the world at hypersonic speeds. Luis Martinez, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2022 If given too deeply, the fractional dose will not be as effective. Liam Stack, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 New Crunchbase data shows Black startup founders in the U.S. raised about 1% of all venture capital allocated in 2022, a fractional drop from their 1.3% share in the prior year, TechCrunch reported. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2023 His fractional ownership certificate would securely sit in his wallet, waiting to be either liquidated or traded. Ali Aksu, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022 The tape blade even features a fractional scale to make reading and converting your measurements even simpler. Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Nov. 2022 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

fraction + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fractional was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near fractional

Cite this Entry

“Fractional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractional. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

fractional

adjective
frac·​tion·​al ˈfrak-shnəl How to pronounce fractional (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or being a fraction
fractional equivalents of percentages
2
: fairly small
fractionally
adverb

Medical Definition

fractional

adjective
frac·​tion·​al -shən-ᵊl, -shnəl How to pronounce fractional (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving a process for separating components of a mixture through differences in physical or chemical properties
fractional distillation

More from Merriam-Webster on fractional

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