fragmentation

1 of 2

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

fragmentate

2 of 2

verb

frag·​men·​tate -ˌtāt 

-ed/-ing/-s

: to break into pieces especially explosively : fractionate, fragmentize

they were sure the master rods on the engines were all fragmentating

—David Beaty

permits the … artist to fragmentate a single small idea into a limitless string of daily episodes

—C. W. Morton

Examples of fragmentation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This means for fans who want to follow football past their local team, the fragmentation might lead them opening accounts for multiple platforms—and their wallets. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Each captures one facet of aging rather than the whole picture, a fragmentation that gives brands more angles to sell. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Both were eras of political fragmentation, and the centuries between 770 and 221 bce produced many of the foundational texts of Chinese philosophy and some of the most prominent figures in Chinese intellectual history. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

Geopolitical fragmentation is making markets, regulation, supply chains, taxation, technology access and talent flows more uncertain. — Andrea Guerzoni, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

fragment entry 2 + -ation, probably after French fragmentation

Verb

back-formation from fragmentation

First Known Use

Noun

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