fractionate

verb

frac·​tion·​ate ˈfrak-shə-ˌnāt 

fractionated; fractionating

transitive verb

1

: to separate (a mixture) into different portions especially by a fractional process

2

: to divide or break up

fractionation

ˌfrak-shə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

fractionator

ˈfrak-shə-ˌnā-tər 

noun

Examples of fractionate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dent corn is fractionated into its various elements (starch, protein/germ, oil and moisture). —WWD, 16 Oct. 2024

The initial wave fractionated into smaller 25-foot waves, which reverberated across the fjord for over a week. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

In this relational void, where the story often feels fractionated rather than woven, the wildfire itself emerges as the book's main character. —Amy Brady, Scientific American, 1 June 2023

Native uses wholesome ingredients like shea butter, tapioca starch, and fractionated coconut oil (which is less messy and absorbs more easily into your skin than regular coconut oil). —Leeron Horry, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2019

Perhaps each particle is free to fractionate into millions of dispersed parts in its own private cosmic wormhole, until a measurement forces it to become whole at some particular location, chosen probabilistically. —Quanta Magazine, 16 Feb. 2017

Buzz: With the help of Botox and fractionated lasers, doctors can erase lines and wrinkles on the chest and even sharpen the appearance of cleavage. —Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

fraction + -ate entry 4

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fractionate

verb

frac·​tion·​ate ˈfrak-shə-ˌnāt 

fractionated; fractionating

: to separate into different portions

fractionation

ˌfrak-shə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

fractionate

transitive verb

frac·​tion·​ate -shə-ˌnāt 

fractionated; fractionating

: to separate (as a mixture) into different portions (as by distillation or precipitation)