fragmentation

breaking into pieces / division into factions / data scattering

Noun

pl: fragmentations

This term carries a strong connotation of loss, decay, or inefficiency. Whether describing a shattered object or a divided society, it suggests a transition from a state of wholeness and unity to one of disorder and dysfunction. It is frequently used in academic, technical, and political discourse to describe a systemic failure where the parts no longer work together as a cohesive unit. In terms of grammar, this noun is typically used as an uncountable mass noun when referring to the general process or state of being broken. However, it can be used as a countable noun when referring to specific instances or types of fragmentation, such as different patterns of data fragmentation in computing.

Meanings

Noun

The process or state of breaking or being broken into small, separate parts or pieces.

"The fragmentation of the ancient pottery made it difficult for archaeologists to reconstruct the vase."

Noun

The division of a larger group, organization, or political entity into smaller, often conflicting or disconnected factions.

"The political fragmentation of the region led to a period of instability and weak governance."

Noun

The process of breaking up a contiguous block of data on a storage device into non-contiguous pieces, which can slow down system performance.

"Disk fragmentation occurs when files are stored in scattered sectors across a hard drive."

The fragmentation of the glass caused several small shards to scatter.

Social fragmentation often occurs when diverse groups stop communicating with each other.

Regular software tools can fix the fragmentation of a computer hard drive.

Last Updated: June 9, 2026•Report an Error