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

For them, state AI fragmentation represents a manageable cost of doing business. —James Richardson, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

Libya has an attractive resource base and proximity to European markets, yet its upstream sector has long been constrained by political fragmentation, corruption, and layers of bureaucracy. —Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Even among 25-34-year-olds, who have grown up in a fractious media environment, 40% say that the fragmentation of content and services has a negative impact on their TV viewing experience. —Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Each time, the result has been social fragmentation and long-term harm that later generations must repair. —Jesus Ruiz, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026

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