fragmentate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “fragmentate” mean?
To break or cause to break into fragments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To break or cause to break into fragments; to disintegrate.
To reduce something unified into smaller, often disconnected or incomplete parts, either physically or metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word itself is recognized in both varieties, but its frequency and typical contexts may differ slightly. It is somewhat more likely to be encountered in British technical or formal writing.
Connotations
In British English, it might slightly more often denote a gradual or systematic process of breaking apart. In American English, the simpler "fragment" is overwhelmingly preferred, making "fragmentate" sound more consciously technical or even pretentious.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, especially in speech. "Fragmentate" is significantly less common than "fragment" in all corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “fragmentate” in a Sentence
[Subject] fragmentates[Agent] fragmentates [Patient] (into [Result])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fragmentate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The historical records began to fragmentate, making a complete study impossible.
- Over time, the political movement fragmentated into several competing factions.
American English
- The software update caused the database to fragmentate, requiring a lengthy repair process.
- Extreme heat can fragmentate the rock structure.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'fragmentarily' is possible but rare.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'fragmentarily' is possible but rare.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; 'fragmentary' is the standard adjective.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'fragmentary' is the standard adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe markets or customer bases splitting into niche segments (e.g., 'The digital age has fragmentated traditional media audiences').
Academic
Found in sociology, political science, or geology to describe processes of societal, political, or physical breakdown.
Everyday
Rare. One might say 'The old plate fragmentated when it hit the floor,' though 'shattered' is more common.
Technical
Used in computing (e.g., data storage, memory) or materials science to describe a structured breaking apart.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fragmentate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fragmentate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fragmentate”
- Using "fragmentate" in casual speech where "break," "split," or "fragment" is sufficient.
- Confusing it with "fracture" (which implies a crack or break, but not necessarily into many pieces).
- Misspelling as "fragmentiate".
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a valid verb listed in comprehensive dictionaries, meaning 'to break into fragments.' However, it is much less common than the simpler verb 'fragment.'
There is no major difference in meaning. 'Fragmentate' is a longer, more formal-sounding variant. 'Fragment' is the standard, more concise, and far more frequent choice.
It is most appropriate in formal, technical, academic, or literary writing where a precise, process-oriented term for breaking apart is needed. In everyday speech and most writing, 'fragment' is preferred.
Yes. Transitively: 'The explosion fragmentated the rock.' Intransitively: 'The alliance fragmentated after the election.'
To break or cause to break into fragments.
Fragmentate is usually formal, technical, literary in register.
Fragmentate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfræɡ.mən.teɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfræɡ.mən.teɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none directly associated; the concept is embedded in idioms like "fall to pieces," "break apart at the seams")”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FRAGile vase that you ANTicipATE will break into many pieces—it will FRAGMENTATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
WHOLENESS IS UNITY / BREAKING IS DISINTEGRATION (e.g., 'The coalition fragmentated under internal pressures').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fragmentate' most appropriately?