fragmentation

1 of 2

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

fragmentate

2 of 2

verb

frag·​men·​tate -ˌtāt 

-ed/-ing/-s

: to break into pieces especially explosively : fractionate, fragmentize

they were sure the master rods on the engines were all fragmentating

—David Beaty

permits the … artist to fragmentate a single small idea into a limitless string of daily episodes

—C. W. Morton

Examples of fragmentation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Microfibre Consortium has also partnered with ZDHC to release foundational guidance and tools addressing fiber fragmentation and microfiber loss in textile manufacturing wastewater. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Application security spent a decade consolidating exactly this kind of fragmentation. — Aviv Mussinger, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Powell’s broader outlook is that persistent inflation, fragmentation, and higher capital costs will make investors more selective. — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Brazil’s internal fragmentation hinders international cooperation, too. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

fragment entry 2 + -ation, probably after French fragmentation

Verb

back-formation from fragmentation

First Known Use

Noun

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