1. the process of separating a mixture into smaller components or fractions, typically based on differences in physical or chemical properties
Usage: commonly used in chemistry, biology, and industrial processes
2. the division of a group, organization, or movement into smaller, often competing factions
Usage: used in political and social contexts

Examples

• Oil refining relies on fractionation to separate crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other products.
• The laboratory used gel fractionation to isolate different proteins from the sample.
• Fractionation of the political party led to the formation of several splinter groups.
• Gas chromatography enables fractionation of complex organic compounds.
• The fractionation of the movement weakened its overall influence.
• Scientists employed fractionation techniques to study the components of blood plasma.
• Economic inequality contributed to the fractionation of society into distinct classes.