fraction

noun

frac·​tion ˈfrak-shən 

1

a

: 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

• 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

That is less than one-tenth of a penny per ton, a fraction of what coal brought in its heyday. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025

Mirrors that extend over 5 feet tall typically increase in price by hundreds of dollars, but right now, a gorgeous design by New England Stories is available at a fraction of the cost today. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025

That will yield the organization some fraction of the $174,000 salary paid to congressmen. —Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025

In one survey, highlighted in the Donaldson report, more than half of adoption-agency staff members said that they were contacted about a problem with an open adoption once or twice a year—a tiny fraction of their placements. —Nicole Chung, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025

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