fragmentation

Everyday

1. Fragmentation is the breaking of something into small pieces. tree →
2. Fragmentation is when a group, country, habitat or system splits into many smaller, separate parts. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography, habitat fragmentation happens when roads, farms and towns cut forests into small patches, which harms animals. In history, the fragmentation of empires led to many small states. In computing, file fragmentation slows down old hard drives. Phrases: «habitat fragmentation», «the fragmentation of», «fragmentation of rock».

Examples

• Habitat fragmentation makes it hard for animals to find mates. tree →
• Frost causes fragmentation of rocks. tree →
• After the war came the fragmentation of the empire. tree →
• The bomb's fragmentation scattered metal pieces. tree →
• Hedgehogs suffer from fragmentation of gardens by high fences. tree →
• Fragmentation of the team happened after the argument. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Related: fragment (a small piece; verb: to break into pieces), fragmented. Say «frag-men-TAY-shun».