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

Koolaburra by Ugg Burree Platform Slippers Fans of the popular Ugg Tasman Slippers will appreciate how similar this pair looks (and for a fraction of the price). —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

Soon, Wegovy and Zepbound will be sold on a new website—dubbed TrumpRx—for only about $250 a month, a fraction of their current retail price of more than $1,000. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025

While the moral comes through loud and clear, that’s largely because the film’s bland depiction of slumberland isn’t a fraction as well-realized — or even as fun! —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025

These frequencies, Weber argued, had to be large, as gravitational waves passing through them would only induce a size change of a fraction-of-a-proton’s width. —Big Think, 7 Nov. 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