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 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

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