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

By the numbers: Financial system fragmentation — dividing the world into fully separate blocs — would reduce global GDP by up to 5%, or $5.7 trillion a year, the report finds. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025

For one, data fragmentation, where data is stored in multiple locations and accessed over different protocols. —Carl D'halluin, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

The delay stemmed from a mix of loyalty, fragmentation, and fear. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

But the results also revealed growing fragmentation: Support for the two big parties that have dominated British politics for a century shrank as voters turned to smaller parties, including the hard-right party Reform U.K. led by Nigel Farage. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 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