fractionate

verb

frac·​tion·​ate ˈfrak-shə-ˌnāt How to pronounce fractionate (audio)
fractionated; fractionating

transitive verb

1
: to separate (a mixture) into different portions especially by a fractional process
2
: to divide or break up
fractionation noun
fractionator noun

Examples of fractionate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In this relational void, where the story often feels fractionated rather than woven, the wildfire itself emerges as the book's main character. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 1 June 2023 Native uses wholesome ingredients like shea butter, tapioca starch, and fractionated coconut oil (which is less messy and absorbs more easily into your skin than regular coconut oil). Leeron Horry, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2019 Perhaps each particle is free to fractionate into millions of dispersed parts in its own private cosmic wormhole, until a measurement forces it to become whole at some particular location, chosen probabilistically. Quanta Magazine, 16 Feb. 2017 Buzz: With the help of Botox and fractionated lasers, doctors can erase lines and wrinkles on the chest and even sharpen the appearance of cleavage. Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Dec. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fractionate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

fraction + -ate entry 4

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fractionate was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near fractionate

Cite this Entry

“Fractionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractionate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fractionate

verb
frac·​tion·​ate ˈfrak-shə-ˌnāt How to pronounce fractionate (audio)
fractionated; fractionating
: to separate into different portions
fractionation noun

Medical Definition

fractionate

transitive verb
frac·​tion·​ate -shə-ˌnāt How to pronounce fractionate (audio)
fractionated; fractionating
: to separate (as a mixture) into different portions (as by distillation or precipitation)

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