Fragmentation (computing)

In computer storage, fragmentation is a phenomenon in the computer system which involves the distribution of data into smaller pieces so that storage space, such as computer memory or a hard drive, is used inefficiently, reducing capacity or performance and often both. The exact consequences of fragmentation depend on the specific system of storage allocation in use and the particular form of fragmentation.

Source: Wikipedia — Fragmentation (computing) (CC BY-SA 4.0)