A fragment, chip, splinter, or shard — a small broken piece of something.
窓ガラスのかけらが床に散らばっている。
Shards of window glass are scattered on the floor.
木のかけらが刺さってけがをした。
A splinter of wood got lodged and caused an injury.
器のかけらを集めてから片付けた。
I gathered the broken pieces of the dish before cleaning up.
A figurative use meaning an ounce or trace of something (e.g., a shred of truth, a trace of conscience).
彼の言葉にはかけらの誠意も感じられなかった。
There wasn't a shred of sincerity in his words.
真実のかけらを探すのは難しい。
It's hard to find even a trace of the truth.
彼女の記憶にはかけらしか残っていない。
Only fragments remain in her memory.