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

The economic costs of fragmentation are high, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimating that increased international trade restrictions may shrink global output by up to 7% over the long term, amounting to $7.4 trillion. —Mirek Dušek, TIME, 26 June 2024

During the fragmentation process, bolder explorers are more likely to move into new habitats with better food or fewer predators. —Lee Alan Dugatkin, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

According to this viewpoint, behind its façade of authoritarian strength the Russian political establishment is being gradually eroded by internal schisms and fragmentation. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Feb. 2024

That’s why de-concentration does not imply descaling or fragmentation. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 2 July 2024

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