fragment

1 of 2

noun

frag·​ment ˈfrag-mənt How to pronounce fragment (audio)
Synonyms of fragmentnext
: a part broken off, detached, or incomplete
The dish lay in fragments on the floor.

fragment

2 of 2

verb

frag·​ment ˈfrag-ˌment How to pronounce fragment (audio)
fragmented; fragmenting; fragments

intransitive verb

: to fall to pieces

transitive verb

: to break up or apart into fragments

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for fragment

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole.

part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Examples of fragment in a Sentence

Noun The dish lay in fragments on the floor. I could only hear fragments of their conversation. Verb The party is fragmenting into warring factions. These issues are fragmenting our society. property being fragmented into subdivisions
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.
Noun
The restoration works enhanced the grotto’s surface and its rich and elaborate scheme, made of rustic, polychrome and multi-material mosaics featuring shells, glass pastes, semi-precious stones, stone fragments and mineral crusts. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025 These represent fragments of all the things that might currently be on your mind. —Scott Mautz, Contributor, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
Paula Jo’s is one of the few storylines that remains fragmented by the end of Season 1, which leaves room for twists and turns if the show is greenlit for a second season. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025 The rate dropped slightly in 2024, but the violence continues as criminal groups have adapted and fragmented in the wake of a government crackdown. —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragment

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Latin fragmentum, from frag-, variant stem of frangere "to break, shatter" + -mentum -ment — more at break entry 1

Verb

derivative of fragment entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of fragment was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing fragment

Browse Nearby Words

fragile X syndrome
fragment
fragmental
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fragment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragment. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

fragment

noun
frag·​ment
ˈfrag-mənt
1
: a part that is broken off or incomplete
2
: sentence fragment
fragment
-ˌment
verb

Medical Definition

fragment

noun
frag·​ment ˈfrag-mənt How to pronounce fragment (audio)
: a part broken off or detached

More from Merriam-Webster on fragment

Nglish: Translation of fragment for Spanish Speakers

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