fractionalize

1 of 2

verb

frac·​tion·​al·​ize ˈfrak-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce fractionalize (audio)
fractionalized; fractionalizing
Synonyms of fractionalizenext

transitive verb

: to break up into parts or sections
fractionalization
ˌfrak-sh(ə-)nə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce fractionalize (audio)
noun

fractionalization

2 of 2

noun

frac·​tion·​al·​iza·​tion
variants also British fractionalisation
ˌfrakshənᵊlə̇ˈzāshən, 
-shnələ̇-
plural -s
: the act or process of fractionalizing or the state of being fractionalized
stimulates division of leadership and fractionalization within the electorate—V. O. Key

Examples of fractionalize 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.
Verb
The trend toward fractional trading also comes at a time when stock splits—when companies with high share prices fractionalize shares to more affordable levels—have fallen out of favor (Apple is one outlier, having split its stock several times). — Lucinda Shen, Fortune, 2 June 2020

Word History

Etymology

Verb

fractional + -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fractionalize was in 1924

Rhymes for fractionalize

See All Rhymes for fractionalize

Browse Nearby Words

fractionalization
fractionalize
fractional lot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fractionalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractionalize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on fractionalize

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fractionalize

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All