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

Doppler weather radar, according to NASA, showed meteorites produced by the fragmentation falling between the Houston suburbs of Willowbrook and Northgate Crossing. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

The relationship economy That risk of fragmentation did not come from nowhere, added the exec. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026

Because of the system's fragmentation, though, signals can cross when someone changes their mind, like Raven; it's not always reflected from one state system to another. —Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

Is the issue of declining attendance, the fragmentation of media consumption across platforms or a generational shift in how younger audiences experience sport? —Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 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