fraction

noun

frac·tion | \ ˈfrak-shən $How to pronounce fraction (audio)$ \

Definition of fraction

1a : a numerical representation (such as ³/₄, ⁵/₈, 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about fraction

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Synonyms for fraction

Synonyms

bit, fragment, piece, 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

YouTube Kids gets a tiny fraction of the YouTube’s audience, which tops 1.9 billion users logging in each month. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "FTC investigating YouTube over children’s privacy," 19 June 2019 YouTube Kids gets a tiny fraction of the YouTube's audience, which tops 1.9 billion users logging in each month. — Anchorage Daily News, "YouTube under federal investigation over allegations it violates children’s privacy," 19 June 2019 YouTube Kids gets a tiny fraction of the YouTube’s audience, which tops 1.9 billion users logging in each month. — Craig Timberg, Washington Post, "Facing federal investigation, YouTube is considering broad changes to children’s content," 19 June 2019 YouTube Kids gets a tiny fraction of the YouTube’s audience, which tops 1.9 billion users logging in each month. — Craig Timberg, BostonGlobe.com, "YouTube under federal investigation over allegations it violates children’s privacy," 19 June 2019 These lawsuits represent a tiny fraction of the problem. — Sharon Cohen, The Denver Post, "AP Investigation: Many U.S. jails fail to stop inmate suicides," 18 June 2019 Nor did the four-hundred-and-forty-eight-page report itself, which only a tiny fraction of the country seems to have read, thereby helping the White House, and Barr, to frame it as a vindication of Trump. — Ben Bradlee Jr., The New Yorker, "How Collusion Confusion Helps Trump," 12 June 2019 The budget for LightSail 2, for instance, is $7 million, a tiny fraction of a typical NASA mission. — NBC News, "Spacecraft that sail on sunshine could be the next big thing in spaceflight," 3 June 2019 In exchange, Bezos is donating a tiny fraction of his net worth to organizations that address the symptoms of inequality without tackling the root causes. — Gaby Del Valle, Vox, "Jeff Bezos’s philanthropic projects aren’t as generous as they seem," 29 Nov. 2018

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

History and Etymology for fraction

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

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Dictionary Entries near fraction

Statistics for fraction

Last Updated

23 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for fraction

The first known use of fraction was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for fraction

fraction

noun

$How to pronounce fraction (audio)$

English Language Learners Definition of fraction

mathematics : a number (such as ¹/₂ or ³/₄) which indicates that one number is being divided by another also : a number (such as 3.323) that consists of a whole number and a decimal

: a part or amount of something

See the full definition for fraction in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fraction

noun

frac·tion | \ ˈfrak-shən $How to pronounce fraction (audio)$ \

Kids Definition of fraction

1 : a number (as ¹/₂, ²/₃, ¹⁷/₁₀₀) that indicates one or more equal parts of a whole or group and that may be considered as indicating also division of the number above the line by the number below the line

2 : a part of a whole : fragment I sold the car for a fraction of what I paid for it.