Segment vs. Fragment: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 3, 2023
A "Segment" is a complete, self-contained portion of something, whereas a "Fragment" is an incomplete, broken piece, often implying irregularity or lack of wholeness. These words differ in the implication of completeness and wholeness.
Key Differences
A "Segment" and a "Fragment" are terms that are generally used to describe parts of a whole, but they diverge significantly in their nuances and connotations. A Segment typically refers to a part or section of something that is complete or self-contained, implying that it holds a certain level of wholeness and regularity within the context of the larger entity. It’s generally used in a more organized and structured context. Conversely, a Fragment is often seen as an irregular, incomplete, or broken piece of something larger. It may not hold significance or functionality on its own and generally implies a sense of incompleteness or irregularity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Within various contexts, the term "Segment" can imply a structured and integral portion, like a segment of a population in demographic studies or a segment in geometry, where it is a part of a line bounded by two endpoints. This term often carries a sense of wholeness and regularity, representing a self-contained part that maintains its structure or integrity. On the other hand, "Fragment" is more frequently associated with broken, unstructured, or incomplete pieces, like a fragment of a shattered glass or a fragment of a sentence. It’s often used to imply that the piece is part of something larger and lacks completeness or regularity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
When considering the term "Segment" in linguistic contexts, it can refer to a complete and coherent part of a text or speech, holding distinct meaning or function within the linguistic structure. It is viewed as a self-contained and integral part of the discourse. In contrast, the term "Fragment" in linguistic terms denotes an incomplete or incoherent piece of text or speech, often lacking in full meaning or function. It doesn’t convey a complete thought and is dependent on the larger context for coherence.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
In concluding, "Segment" and "Fragment" share a general relation as they both refer to parts of a whole, but their implications vary significantly. A Segment is viewed as a complete, structured, and coherent part of a larger entity, carrying a sense of wholeness and integrity. In contrast, a Fragment is perceived as an incomplete, broken, or irregular piece of a larger whole, conveying a sense of lack of wholeness and coherence.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Comparison Chart
Completeness
Represents a complete and self-contained portion.
Represents an incomplete and broken piece.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
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Regularities
Usually regular and structured.
Often irregular and unstructured.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Functionality
Can be functional and meaningful on its own.
May lack functionality and coherence on its own.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Contextual Use
Used in more organized and structured contexts.
Used to denote brokenness or incompleteness.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Linguistic Role
Can be a complete and coherent part of a text or speech.
An incomplete or incoherent piece of text or speech.
Harlon Moss
Sep 24, 2023
Segment and Fragment Definitions
Segment
A distinct piece of a whole maintaining its structure.
The citrus segment was juicy and sweet.
Harlon Moss
Sep 24, 2023
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Fragment
A part broken off from a whole.
A fragment of the ancient pottery was discovered.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Segment
Any of the parts into which something can be divided
Segments of the community.
A segment of a television program.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
A piece representing lack of wholeness.
Only a fragment of the information was available.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Fragment
An isolated or unconnected piece lacking coherence.
The conversation was filled with fragments.
Janet White
Sep 24, 2023
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Segment
The area bounded by a chord and the arc of a curve subtended by the chord.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
An incomplete or isolated portion; a bit
Overheard fragments of their conversation.
Extant fragments of an old manuscript.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
(Biology) A clearly differentiated subdivision of an organism or part, such as a metamere.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
To become broken into fragments
After the election, the coalition fragmented.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
One of the parts into which any body naturally separates or is divided; a part divided or cut off; a section; a portion.
A segment of an orange; a segment of a compound or divided leaf
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
A part broken off; a small, detached portion; an imperfect part, either physically or not
A fragment of an ancient writing
I heard a small fragment of the conversation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
A straight path between two points that is the shortest distance between them.
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Apr 07, 2023
Segment
(geometry) The part of a circle between its circumference and a chord (usually other than the diameter).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
(internet) A portion of a URL referring to a subordinate resource or anchor (such as a specific point on a web page), introduced by the
# sign.Anchor link
The URL
www.example.com/home#recent ends with a fragment.Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
To break up and disperse (a file) into non-contiguous areas of a disk.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
A part broken off; a small, detached portion; an imperfect part; as, a fragment of an ancient writing.
Gather up the fragments that remain.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
(botany) A portion of an organ whose cells are derived from a single cell within the primordium from which the organ developed.
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Apr 07, 2023
Segment
(zoology) One of several parts of an organism, with similar structure, arranged in a chain; such as a vertebra, or a third of an insect's thorax.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
(broadcasting) A part of a broadcast program, devoted to a topic.
The news showed a segment on global warming.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
(computing) A region of memory or a fragment of an executable file designated to contain a particular part of a program.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
A small, broken, or irregular piece of something.
He found a fragment of glass on the floor.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Segment
(travel) A portion of an itinerary: it may be a flight or train between two cities, or a car or hotel booked in a particular city.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Fragment
An incomplete or disjoint piece of text.
The fragment of the letter was hard to understand.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Segment
(ambitransitive) To divide into segments or sections.
Segment the essay by topic.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
One of the parts into which any body naturally separates or is divided; a part divided or cut off; a section; a portion; as, a segment of an orange; a segment of a compound or divided leaf.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
A part cut off from a figure by a line or plane; especially, that part of a circle contained between a chord and an arc of that circle, or so much of the circle as is cut off by the chord; as, the segment acb in the Illustration.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
A piece in the form of the sector of a circle, or part of a ring; as, the segment of a sectional fly wheel or flywheel rim.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
One of the cells or division formed by segmentation, as in egg cleavage or in fissiparous cell formation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
To divide or separate into parts in growth; to undergo segmentation, or cleavage, as in the segmentation of the ovum.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
One of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object;
A section of a fishing rod
Metal sections were used below ground
Finished the final segment of the road
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
One of the parts into which something naturally divides;
A segment of an orange
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 07, 2023
Segment
A self-contained portion of something.
Each segment of the show features a different guest.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Segment
A part of a geometrical figure.
A line segment is bounded by two endpoints.
Janet White
Sep 24, 2023
Segment
A section of a population sharing characteristics.
This product targets the youth segment of the market.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Segment
A coherent part of text or speech.
He focused on one segment of the conversation.
Janet White
Sep 24, 2023
FAQs
Is a segment always complete in itself?
Typically, a segment is considered complete and self-contained within the context of the whole.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can a segment be a portion of a population?
Yes, a segment can represent a specific portion of a population in demographic studies.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can a fragment be part of a sentence?
Yes, a fragment can be an incomplete piece of a sentence, lacking in full meaning.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Is a segment always a large portion?
No, a segment can be large or small but is typically complete and coherent within its context.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Is a fragment necessarily irregular and broken?
Generally, a fragment is viewed as an irregular and incomplete piece.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Is a segment in geometry a structured part?
Yes, in geometry, a segment is a structured part of a line, bounded by two endpoints.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can the term segment refer to a piece of an orange?
Yes, the term segment can refer to a self-contained piece of an orange.
Janet White
Sep 24, 2023
Can a fragment of text convey complete information?
Generally, a fragment of text lacks completeness and doesn’t convey full information.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Are fragments in writing considered incorrect?
In formal writing, fragments are usually considered incorrect as they lack completeness.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can a segment of text convey a complete thought?
Yes, a segment of text typically conveys a complete and coherent thought.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can a fragment represent a piece of broken glass?
Yes, a fragment can represent a small, broken piece of glass.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 24, 2023
Can fragments form a whole when pieced together?
Yes, fragments can potentially form a whole if pieced together correctly.
Janet White
Sep 24, 2023
Are segments used in data analysis?
Yes, in data analysis, segments are used to represent specific, coherent parts of the data.
Harlon Moss
Sep 24, 2023
Is a fragment considered as lacking coherence?
Often, a fragment is considered as lacking coherence and full meaning on its own.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can a market be divided into various segments?
Yes, a market is often divided into various segments based on demographics, behaviors, etc.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 24, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
