ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from fragmenter to divide into fragments (from fragment, n., from Latin fragmentum ) + -ation
1. : the act or process of fragmentating or fractionating or the state of being fragmented or fractionated
the constant fragmentation of landholdings — J.H.Steward
cried for the fragmentation of India — Time
the growing fragmentation of the corporation into a multitude of divisions and departments — W.H.Whyte
: the act or process of making fragmentary or the state of becoming or being fragmentary
the contemporary pursuit of brevity, with its inevitable consequence of fragmentation . in all fields of communication is alarming — F.L.Mott
the fragmentation of the past was to be overcome by integration — American Anthropologist
especially : a shattering into numerous and widely scattered fragments (as of a fragmentation bomb)
2. : the fragments from the fragmentation of a shell, grenade, or bomb
the explosion rained fragmentation all about them
3. : disorganization of mind or behavior : a breakdown of the usual pattern of thought or action