fractional
Americanadjective
-
pertaining to fractions; comprising a part or the parts of a unit; constituting a fraction.
fractional numbers.
-
comparatively small; inconsiderable or insignificant.
The profit on the deal was fractional.
-
Chemistry. of or noting a process, as distillation, crystallization, or oxidation, by which the component substances of a mixture are separated according to differences in certain of their properties, as boiling point, critical temperature, or solubility.
adjective
-
relating to, containing, or constituting one or more fractions
-
of or denoting a process in which components of a mixture are separated by exploiting differences in their physical properties, such as boiling points, solubility, etc
fractional distillation
fractional crystallization
-
very small or insignificant
-
broken up; fragmented
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fractional
Vocabulary lists containing fractional
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both have tested Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems which are harder to track.
From BBC • Jul. 16, 2025
Fractional owners pay at least six figures for their slice of the plane, plus a monthly maintenance fee, an hourly flying rate and a hodgepodge of other charges, such as fuel.
From Washington Post • Nov. 28, 2022
The Russians developed the Fractional Orbital Bombardment System decades ago, but gave it up after the U.S. put up satellites that could warn of a missile attack from all angles.
From Slate • Oct. 28, 2021
Fractional Orbital Bombardment would also be a way for China to avoid U.S. missile defenses in Alaska, which are designed to combat a limited number of weapons from a country like North Korea.
From Reuters • Oct. 27, 2021
Even Fractional Persians like me and Laleh dream sweet, exquisite dreams of chelo kabob.
From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
