fragment
FRAG-muhnt
Fragment (noun) means a small broken-off piece of something larger. Example: “Archaeologists found a fragment of an ancient pot at the dig.”
noun
1
A small broken-off piece of something larger.
"Archaeologists found a fragment of an ancient pot at the dig."
"Only a fragment of the original manuscript survives."
verb
1
To break into pieces, or to split apart.
"The vase fragmented when it hit the tile floor."
"The party began to fragment into rival factions."
How to use fragment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA broken-off piece, or the act of breaking something into pieces.
Common pairings
a fragment of
fragment into pieces
sentence fragment
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Word forms
- Plural
- fragments
- Third person singular
- fragments
- Past tense
- fragmented
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Archaeologists found a _____ of an ancient pot at the dig.
Etymology
From Latin fragmentum ("a piece broken off"), from frangere ("to break").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fragment” mean?
The word “fragment” means a small broken-off piece of something larger. In plain terms, a broken-off piece, or the act of breaking something into pieces.
How do you pronounce “fragment”?
“Fragment” is pronounced FRAG-muhnt (/ˈfɹæɡmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “fragment” in a sentence?
Here is “fragment” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists found a fragment of an ancient pot at the dig.”
What is another word for “fragment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fragment” include fragmentize.
What is the opposite of “fragment”?
The opposite of “fragment” — its antonyms — is defragment.
What part of speech is “fragment”?
Depending on how it is used, “fragment” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fragment” come from?
The word “fragment” comes from Latin. From Latin fragmentum ("a piece broken off"), from frangere ("to break").
Is “fragment” a common word?
“Fragment” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a fragment and a piece?
A piece is a general term for any part of something, while a fragment specifically implies a small broken-off part of something larger, often suggesting damage or incompleteness. A fragment of pottery, for example, is a broken remnant rather than a deliberately cut piece.
What does it mean when data or memory is fragmented?
When data or memory is fragmented, it has been broken into scattered pieces that are no longer stored together as a whole. This sense extends the core meaning of fragment, breaking into pieces, to describe how digital information can become disorganized over time.
Is fragment used differently as a noun versus a verb?
As a noun, fragment refers to a small broken-off piece of something larger, such as a fragment of glass. As a verb, to fragment means to break into pieces or split apart, describing the action rather than the resulting piece.
