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 can also introduce challenges with getting a comprehensive view of one’s financial situation, resulting in even more time spent on double- and triple-checking information to verify its accuracy across platforms. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

The weapon also carries a blast-fragmentation warhead with both proximity and impact fuses. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025

How does the Recording Academy deal with fragmentation and the fact that music fans are listening to more subgenres and global artists than ever? —Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2025

And the fact that wider political authority was decentralized meant that linguistic fragmentation found little resistance. —Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 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