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
ˈfrag-mən-ˌtāt How to pronounce fragmentation (audio)
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.
Nowhere is this audience fragmentation clearer than in tech media, which is increasingly dominated by largely sycophantic media outlets owned by the decisionmakers themselves. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The next step is to quantify how likely fragmentation could be under different models of gravity. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 In the past six months, LeoLabs has reported at least four fragmentation events in space, which together created hundreds of new pieces of space debris. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Without that leadership, the continent has been left to overcome its internal fragmentation on its own. — Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing fragmentation

Rhymes for fragmentation

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Browse Nearby Words

fragmentate
fragmentation
fragmentation bomb
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Cite this Entry

“Fragmentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragmentation. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fragmentation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fragmentation

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