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

These mealtime shortcuts offer all of the flavor for a fraction of the prep time. —Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Santana says that means it is required to keep copper running in order to serve that tiny fraction of customers who still use it — despite a range of new technologies and offerings from competitors. —John Ruwitch, NPR, 3 June 2026

With the creation of the Victory + app where Stars fans can watch games on a streaming device, the club solved their distribution challenge, but the money generated here is a fraction of the previous deal with Fox Sports Southwest/Bally Sports. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026

Jakubowski, whose nonprofit provides food to most pantries across the state, has said Connecticut’s network of food banks and pantries are equipped to cover a fraction of the need when SNAP benefits are removed. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 June 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