Fragmentation
ˌfræɡmənˈteɪʃən
Definitions
The act or process of breaking something into small pieces or parts; the state of being broken up.
ˌfræɡmənˈteɪʃən
The process of breaking something into small pieces or parts.
The earthquake caused the fragmentation of the building's structure.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to put a puzzle together, but all the pieces are scattered far apart. Fragmentation is like that – things aren't connected anymore.
👶 For kids: When something breaks into little bits!
More Examples
The company's organizational structure suffered from fragmentation, leading to poor communication.
In the context of database management, fragmentation can cause performance issues.
How It's Used
"Disk fragmentation can slow down a computer."
"The fragmentation of society is often discussed in political debates."
"Fragmentation is a form of asexual reproduction."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Fragmentation bomb
A type of explosive device that releases shrapnel to cause maximum damage to a target.
"The soldiers were trained in defusing fragmentation bombs."
From Late Latin *fragmentatio*, from *fragmentum* ('a fragment'), derived from *frangere* ('to break'). The word entered English in the early 17th century.
The word 'fragmentation' gained prominence with the rise of computing and social sciences in the 20th century, describing the division of data and society, respectively.
Memory tip
Think of a fragile vase shattering – fragmentation is what you get.
Word Origin
"a fragment, a piece"