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

All of them are on journeys of discovery, on pilgrimages to purity, simplicity, or humility, understood not in dogmatic terms but in the living experience of human fragmentation and wholeness, suffering and redemption, pride and love. —Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 4 Dec. 2024

In 2023, antitrust regulators conducted unannounced inspections into a number of undisclosed companies in several countries of the 27-member bloc to investigate business practices that could lead to fragmentation in the single market. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 28 Nov. 2024

And is social media doomed to more and more fragmentation? —Leah Feiger, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

Despite state-by-state fragmentation, Rice said there are people working to find a model approach. —Rachel Curry, CNBC, 21 Nov. 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