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

Choosing unity over fragmentation, in business and beyond. —Emeka Ajene, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Volatile state funding, low price points and the fragmentation of distribution make the creativity of producers paramount. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025

Today’s young people face a landscape of social fragmentation, relentless digital stimulation, and uncertain futures. —Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025

Today, the most sophisticated investors conduct regulatory risk assessments before every significant investment, mapping political stakeholders, anticipating policy changes or state policy fragmentation, and building compliance capabilities into their operational improvement plans. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 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