fraction

[ frak-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: fractionfractions on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. Mathematics.

    • a number usually expressed in the form a/b.

    • a ratio of algebraic quantities similarly expressed.

  2. Chemistry. (in a volatile mixture) a component whose range of boiling point temperatures allows it to be separated from other components by fractionation.

  1. a part as distinct from the whole of anything; portion or section: The meeting started with a fraction of us present.

  2. a very small part or segment of anything; minute portion: Only a fraction of the work was completed on time.

  3. a very small amount; a little bit: It was only a fraction away from completion.

  4. a piece broken off; fragment or bit.

  5. the act of breaking.

  6. Ecclesiastical. (in a Eucharistic service) the breaking of the Host.

verb (used with or without object)
  1. to divide or break into fractions, sections, factions, etc.: Dissension threatens to fraction the powerful union.

Origin of fraction

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fraccioun, from Late Latin frāctiōn- (stem of frāctiō) “a breaking (in pieces),” equivalent to Latin frāct(us) (past participle of frangere “to break, shatter”; see break) + -iōn--ion

synonym study For fraction

3, 6. See part.

Other words from fraction

  • sub·frac·tion, noun

Words Nearby fraction

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fraction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fraction

fraction

/ (ˈfrækʃən) /


noun
  1. maths

    • a ratio of two expressions or numbers other than zero

    • any rational number that is not an integer

  2. any part or subdivision: a substantial fraction of the nation

  1. a small piece; fragment

  2. chem a component of a mixture separated by a fractional process, such as fractional distillation

  3. Christianity the formal breaking of the bread in Communion

  4. the act of breaking

verb
  1. (tr) to divide

Origin of fraction

1
C14: from Late Latin fractiō a breaking into pieces, from Latin fractus broken, from frangere to break

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for fraction

fraction

[ frăkshən ]


  1. A number that compares part of an object or a set with the whole, especially the quotient of two whole numbers written in the form ab. The fraction 12, which means 1 divided by 2, can represent such things as 10 pencils out of a box of 20, or 50 cents out of a dollar. See also decimal fraction improper fraction proper fraction.

  2. A chemical component separated by fractionation.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for fraction

fraction

A mathematical expression representing the division of one whole number by another. Usually written as two numbers separated by a horizontal or diagonal line, fractions are also used to indicate a part of a whole number or a ratio between two numbers. Fractions may have a value of less than one, as with 1/2, or equal to one, as with 2/2, or more than one, as with 3/2. The top number of a fraction is the numerator and the bottom number is the denominator.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.