fractionation

American  

[frak-shuh-ney-shuhn] / ˌfræk ʃəˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of fractionating.

2. the state of being fractionated.

3. Military. the division of a missile's payload into several warheads.

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fractionation Scientific  

/ frăk′shə-nā′shən /

1. The separation of a chemical compound into components by fractional crystallization or fractional distillation.

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Etymology

Origin of fractionation

First recorded in 1925–30; fractionate + -ion

Example Sentences

The study, titled "Extreme triple oxygen isotope fractionation in Equisetum," examines horsetails, which are hollow-stemmed plants that have existed on the planet for more than 400 million years.

From Science Daily • Nov. 13, 2025

“As a result, that kind of fractionation really doesn’t help you understand either the level of investment very directly, or the impact,” Wayburn said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2024

During the quarter, the company saw operational records for natural gas pipeline volumes and natural gas liquids fractionation volumes.

From Reuters • Aug. 1, 2023

Defense Department officials were drawn to the idea of a U.S.-owned and operated fractionation facility, according to Santorum.

From Washington Times • Nov. 1, 2020

Various methods of fractionation are similarly available, chiefly the precipitation of the intermediate 'dextrins' by alcohol.

From Researches on Cellulose 1895-1900 by Cross, C. F.