fixture

noun

fix·​ture ˈfiks-chər 

1

: the act or process of fixing : the state of being fixed

2

a

: something that is fixed or attached (as to a building) as a permanent appendage or as a structural part

a plumbing fixture

b

: a device for supporting work during machining

c

: an item of movable property so incorporated into real property that it may be regarded as legally a part of it

3

: a familiar or invariably present element or feature in some particular setting

especially : a person long associated with a place or activity

4

: a settled date or time especially for a sporting or festive event

also : such an event especially as a regularly scheduled affair

Synonyms

• institution
• icon

Examples of fixture in a Sentence

He's been a fixture in the parade for many years.

She hopes the new educational program will become a permanent fixture at the zoo.

Recent Examples on the Web

When that season eventually began, and Thomas became a fixture in the women's locker room, Burzynska often retreated to the corner of the room to change. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025

Yang had designed his interiors to incorporate a tasteful mix of Western and Eastern décor: a wall covered in de Gournay wallpaper here, a Serge Mouille light fixture there, Joseon pottery and contemporary Korean art scattered throughout. —Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025

Indeed, thus far only two have been made a permanent part of a public program: A diabetes and an accountable care organization demonstration project became permanent fixtures in Medicare. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

The French-Vietnamese coffee shop and bakery, a fixture on Oltorf Street since 2014, opened its second location earlier this month. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier fixure (probably after mixture), going back to Middle English, "point of attachment," borrowed from Late Latin fīxūra "action of fixing, place where a nail is fixed," from Latin fīxus, past participle of fīgere "to drive in, insert, fasten" + -ūra -ure — more at fix entry 1

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fixture

• plumbing fixture

Rhymes for fixture

• mixture
• admixture
• intermixture

Kids Definition

fixture

noun

fix·​ture ˈfiks-chər 

1

: the act of fixing : the state of being fixed

2

: something attached as a permanent part

bathroom fixtures

3

: one firmly established in a place

Legal Definition

fixture

noun

fix·​ture

: an item of movable property so incorporated into a real property that it may be regarded as legally a part of it