1. separating a mixture into smaller components or fractions, typically by distillation or chromatography
Usage: present participle of fractionate; commonly used in chemistry and petroleum refining

1. relating to or used for the process of separating a mixture into fractions
Usage: technical/scientific context

Examples

• The oil refinery is fractionating crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.
• Fractionating columns are essential equipment in chemical plants.
• Scientists are fractionating the protein mixture to isolate individual components.
• The fractionating process uses heat and pressure to separate hydrocarbons by boiling point.
• They spent weeks fractionating the complex sample using advanced chromatography techniques.
• A fractionating still can separate liquids with different boiling points efficiently.