frac·ture
ˈfrak-chər 
-shər
1
: the result of fracturing : break
2
a
: the act or process of breaking or the state of being broken
especially
: the breaking of hard tissue (such as bone)
b
: the rupture (as by tearing) of soft tissue
kidney fracture
3
: the general appearance of a freshly broken surface of a mineral
fractured; fracturing
ˈfrak-chə-riŋ
-shriŋ
2
a
: to damage or destroy as if by rupturing
b
: to cause great disorder in
c
: to break up : fractionate
d
: to go beyond the limits of (something, such as a rule) : violate
… fractured many of the laws of probability …—
Sheldon Cheney
Sheldon Cheney
: to undergo fracture : to crack or break
Her wrist fractured in the fall.
Synonyms
Examples of fracture in a Sentence
Noun
a fracture in the Earth's crust
She suffered a wrist fracture when she slipped on the ice.
Verb
Her wrist fractured when she fell on the ice.
Their happiness was fractured by an unforeseen tragedy.
These problems may fracture the unity of the two parties.
Their fragile happiness fractured all too soon.
Recent Examples on the WebNicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The report detailed severe head injuries, including multiple hemorrhages and two fractures.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fracture 
Noun
Some of these fractures were new and others were potentially weeks old.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The report detailed severe head injuries, including multiple hemorrhages and two fractures.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fracture
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fracture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fracture
Cite this Entry
“Fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracture. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fracture
1 of 2 noun
frac·ture
ˈfrak-chər, -shər
1
: the act or process of breaking or the state of being broken
specifically
: the breaking of hard tissue and especially bone
2
: the rupture (as by tearing) of soft tissue
kidney fracture
fracture
2 of 2 transitive verb
fractured; fracturing
-chə-riŋ, -shriŋ
1
: to cause a fracture in
fracture a rib
2
: to cause a rupture or tear in
a blow that fractured a kidney
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share