noun
fraction
FRAK-shuhn/ˈfrækʃn/
A portion expressed in relation to a larger whole.
One half of this apple represents a fraction of the whole.
Etymology
The 'break' root forms a noun originally meaning 'a breaking,' which also came to mean a fragment or portion. A numerical fraction expresses a portion of a whole.
In context
Now remember, a fraction is something that shows parts of a whole. So here is what the fraction looks like: a one, a line, and a two. That is the fraction one half.
More examples
- The repair costs a fraction of the price of a replacement.
- Only a small fraction of the students ride bikes to school.
- The fraction 3/4 represents three of four equal parts.
Forms
fraction · fractions
fractional adjective — Relating to a part of a whole.
Similar words
- portion
- Emphasizes an amount or share rather than a numerical relationship.
- part
- Names a component without necessarily measuring it against the whole.
- proportion
- Emphasizes the relative size of a part within a whole.