fractionate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “fractionate” mean?
To separate a mixture into its component parts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To separate a mixture into its component parts.
To divide or break up something into smaller units, especially in a systematic or analytical way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Primarily a neutral, precise technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in non-technical contexts in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “fractionate” in a Sentence
[Subject] fractionates [Object] (e.g., The column fractionates the mixture).[Subject] is fractionated into [Constituent Parts] (e.g., The oil was fractionated into various hydrocarbons).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fractionate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The laboratory will fractionate the serum to isolate the antibodies.
- We need to fractionate the whisky to achieve the desired purity.
American English
- The refinery fractionates crude oil into gasoline and other products.
- Researchers fractionated the compound using high-performance liquid chromatography.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- [No common adjectival form in use; 'fractionated' is the past participle used adjectivally, e.g., 'fractionated sample']
American English
- [No common adjectival form in use; 'fractionated' is the past participle used adjectivally, e.g., 'fractionated plasma']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically in finance (e.g., 'fractionate a large asset portfolio').
Academic
Common in scientific papers (chemistry, physics, biochemistry) to describe separation processes.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound highly technical or jargonistic.
Technical
Core usage domain. Standard term in chemical engineering, laboratory science, and refining industries.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fractionate”
- Using 'fractionate' as a general synonym for 'break' or 'divide' in non-technical writing.
- Incorrect: 'The team was fractionated by internal disputes.' Correct: 'The team was fragmented/split by internal disputes.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialized technical term primarily used in scientific and industrial contexts. It is very rare in everyday language.
The related nouns are 'fractionation' (the process) and 'fractionator' (the apparatus that performs fractionation).
It is possible but highly metaphorical and stylistically marked (e.g., 'The new policy threatened to fractionate the community'). In such contexts, words like 'divide', 'split', or 'fragment' are far more common and natural.
'Distill' is a specific type of fractionation based on differences in boiling points. 'Fractionate' is a broader term for any separation process that yields fractions (parts), which can include distillation, chromatography, or centrifugation.
To separate a mixture into its component parts.
Fractionate is usually technical/scientific in register.
Fractionate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfrakʃ(ə)neɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfrækʃəˌneɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of FRACTION-ATE: to turn something into its constituent fractions or parts.
Conceptual Metaphor
WHOLE IS SEPARATED INTO PARTS; ANALYSIS IS SEPARATION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'fractionate' most appropriately used?