fragmentation

American  

[frag-muhn-tey-shuhn] / ˌfræg mənˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of fragmenting; state of being fragmented.

2. the disintegration, collapse, or breakdown of norms of thought, behavior, or social relationship.

3. the pieces of an exploded fragmentation bomb or grenade.

4. Computers. the process or result of storing data from a file in noncontiguous sectors on a disk drive. As files are created, modified, deleted, etc., the files are split into smaller pieces and the remaining free space on the disk is broken up, slowing down data access speed on the disk.

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fragmentation Scientific  

/ frăg′mən-tā′shən /

1. The scattering of parts of a computer file across different regions of a disk. Fragmentation occurs when the operating system breaks up the file and stores it in locations left vacant by previously deleted files. The more fragmented the file, the slower it is to retrieve, since each piece of the file must be identified and located on the disk.

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Usage

What does fragmentation mean? Fragmentation most generally means the process of fragmenting—breaking into pieces or being divided into parts. It can also refer to the state or result of being broken up or having been divided.As a noun, fragment can refer to a part that has broken off (as in a bone fragment) or one that has been intentionally separated from a whole (as in I tore off a fragment of the map).Fragmentation often involves the division of something into smaller parts or groups, as in The fragmentation of voters means that it will be much harder to build a coalition of supporters.Fragmentation can also refer to the process of falling apart or disintegrating, especially in the context of abstract or intangible things, as in The fragmentation of the empire has resulted in multiple warring states. Such things can be described with the adjective fragmented.It sometimes refers to the collapse or breakdown of certain norms, behaviors, or institutions, as in the fragmentation of society. Fragmentation is also used as a verb in a much more specific way in the context of computers, in which it refers to the storing of data files in a way that breaks them up. The opposite of this sense of fragmentation is defragmentation—the process of bringing the parts of the files back together.The verb fragmentate, which comes from fragmentation, means the same thing as the verb fragment—to separate something into parts or to break it into fragments. The verb fragmentize means the same thing.Example: The fragmentation and isolation of so many sectors of society has caused us to become more divided than ever.

Etymology

Origin of fragmentation

First recorded in 1880–85; fragment + -ation

Example Sentences

“Those who adapt to a world of fragmentation, constraint, and spatial power will likely fare better,” they conclude.

From MarketWatch

"This fragmentation of geopolitics that has caused the emergence of so many crises is perhaps the most worrying thing," the Italian diplomat said in his final interview as UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

From Barron's

With such fragmentation, it’s much harder for a negative storyline to reach critical mass.

From Los Angeles Times

While R tracks expansion or deformation of the molecule and its fragments, A provides insight into fragmentation, including how large or small the resulting pieces are.

From Science Daily

The government has said it will take over the running and management of the tracks and trains, "ending years of fragmentation, driving up standards for passengers, and making journey easier and better value for money".

From BBC

Related Words

• crack
• fissure
• wound