fragmentation

noun

frag·​men·​ta·​tion ˌfrag-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-

1

: the act or process of fragmenting or making fragmentary

2

: the state of being fragmented or fragmentary

fragmentate

ˈfrag-mən-ˌtāt 

verb

Examples of fragmentation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This fragmentation breaks Ethereum’s original composability and interoperability, as DEXs on one layer-2 cannot seamlessly interact with others, reducing the ability of decentralized applications (DApps) to operate seamlessly across the Ethereum ecosystem. —Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

With tariffs threatening supply chains and markets watching for signs of fragmentation, summits like these are closely watched for signals of new alignments, even if substantive outcomes are limited. —Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025

But one of the consequences of this ongoing territorial fragmentation has been the creation of distinct Palestinian social formations, each with their own specific forms of economic existence and governance, class hierarchies, and political institutions. —Literary Hub august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025

One study uses a new astrophysical computer simulation that models turbulence within the cloud, causing fragmentation into smaller, star-forming clumps. —ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fragment entry 2 + -ation, probably after French fragmentation

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fragmentation

• fragmentation bomb
• fragmentation grenade

Rhymes for fragmentation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation