fragmentation

noun

frag·​men·​ta·​tion ˌfrag-mən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce fragmentation (audio)
-ˌmen-
1
: the act or process of fragmenting or making fragmentary
2
: the state of being fragmented or fragmentary
fragmentate verb

Examples of fragmentation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team thus classified the moons into potential families, grouped together by a common source of fragmentation. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025 Both records sum up the delicious fragmentation of the 2020’s — our seemingly insatiable appetite for novel combinations of rhythm and sound. Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025 In its 2024 Annual Report, the GAO identified more than 100 instances of fragmentation, overlap and duplication in federal programs. Eric Steele, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Advertisement Our approach to fighting online hate and extremism focuses too often on individual platforms—Facebook, X, YouTube, or TikTok—and too little on the fragmentation of content moderation across the internet. Tamar Mitts, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragmentation

Word History

Etymology

fragment entry 2 + -ation, probably after French fragmentation

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fragmentation was in 1881

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fragmentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragmentation. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fragmentation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!