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

Improving resource allocation via unification reduces the impact of uncontrollable disruptions, so airlines don’t pay the cost of fragmentation. — Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are major threats to wild red pandas. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

These disruptions are all exacerbated by – and likely contributing to – increasingly volatile geopolitics and social fragmentation. — Johannes Teyssen, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Its work includes the Mk 135 solid-propellant booster and the missile’s blast-fragmentation warhead. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 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