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

He's a fixture on the stage.

4

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

also : such an event especially as a regularly scheduled affair

attended all the team's home fixtures

Synonyms of fixture

• 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

The two encouraged one another privately, celebrated each other’s accomplishments and eventually became fixtures in each other’s lives. — Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026

What began 20 years ago as a relatively small industry event has evolved into a fixture on the international fashion calendar—and is now often regarded as the unofficial fifth Fashion Week alongside New York, London, Milan, and Paris. — Miriam Nehring, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2026

Earlier this week, a piece of a SpaceX rocket joined the ranks of space rocks and other wayward spacecraft that have slammed into the moon and become permanent fixtures of our celestial neighbor's surface. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Most of the furniture, equipment and fixtures will be kept for future use in the new space, Cichon said at a recent village board meeting. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

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