fragmentation

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌfrægməˈnteɪʃən/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The process of breaking or being broken into smaller pieces or parts; the state of being divided into fragments.; In computing, the condition in which data on a storage device is stored in non-contiguous blocks, reducing efficiency.; In biology, a form of asexual reproduction in which an organism splits into fragments, each of which develops into a new individual.; In military context, the breaking apart of an explosive device into small, high-velocity pieces designed to cause damage.; In sociology or politics, the division of a group, market, or society into smaller, often competing factions or segments.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

fragmentation grenadedata fragmentationhabitat fragmentationmarket fragmentationdisk fragmentationpolitical fragmentation

Derivatives

fragmentfragmentaryfragmentalfragmentedfragmentizefragmentarily

Synonyms

disintegrationbreakupsplinteringdivisiondissolutionbalkanization

Antonyms

unificationintegrationconsolidation

Commonly confused

fragment
EN: 'Fragment' is a piece or part broken off; 'fragmentation' is the process or state of breaking into fragments.
fractionation
EN: 'Fractionation' refers to separation into fractions (often chemical/physical); 'fragmentation' implies breaking apart, often destructively.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the connecting 'a' between 'fragment' and 'tion': frag-ment-a-tion, not *fragmention*.

💬 Examples

  1. The fragmentation of the empire led to the rise of numerous independent city-states.

  2. Disk fragmentation can significantly slow down file access times on a hard drive.

  3. Starfish can reproduce through fragmentation, regenerating a whole new organism from a single arm.

  4. The fragmentation grenade scattered lethal shrapnel across a wide area.

  5. The fragmentation of the political party made it impossible to present a unified platform.