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.
Ogunyemi critiques the open-door policy, advocating for structured communication to prevent fragmentation and ensure comprehensive information flow. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 That fragmentation is becoming increasingly relevant to the security of the waterway. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Historical context and origins Before the rise of the Mongol empire, trade across Eurasia along the Silk Road network was frequently disrupted by warfare, political fragmentation, heavy taxation, and banditry. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026 The fragmentation of dementia sometimes makes David’s consciousness more sharply attuned to things, while entire other swaths of life fall away. — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 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

See All Rhymes for fragmentation

Browse Nearby Words

fragmentate
fragmentation
fragmentation bomb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fragmentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragmentation. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on fragmentation

Nglish: Translation of fragmentation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fragmentation

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

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
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All