fracture

1 of 2

noun

frac·​ture ˈfrak-chər How to pronounce fracture (audio)
-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

fracture

2 of 2

verb

fractured; fracturing ˈfrak-chə-riŋ How to pronounce fracture (audio)
-shriŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause a crack or fracture in : break
fracture a rib
b
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

intransitive verb

: to undergo fracture : to crack or break
Her wrist fractured in the fall.

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 Web
Noun
The man sustained multiple fractures, the department said. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024 The man suffered multiple fractures and was treated at the scene by the Seattle Fire Department and then at Harborview Medical Center where he was said to be in a critical condition. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
The balloon’s string, still attached to a radio transmitter, had gouged into the bird’s flesh—fracturing bones, killing tissues and cutting off circulation to the bird’s feet. Danielle Beurteaux, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 The agency said Gomez continued to punch and kick the officer afterward, fracturing the officer's orbital socket, breaking their nose and lacerating their head. Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 9 Oct. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Latin frāctūra "act of breaking, breaking of a bone," from frāctus (past participle of frangere "to break, shatter") + -ūra -ure — more at break entry 1

Verb

derivative of fracture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fracture was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fracture

Cite this Entry

“Fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracture. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

fracture

noun
frac·​ture
ˈfrak-chər,
-shər
1
: the act or process of breaking : the state of being broken
especially : the breaking of a bone
2
: the result of fracturing
especially : an injury resulting from fracture of a bone
fracture verb

Medical Definition

fracture

1 of 2 noun
frac·​ture ˈfrak-chər, -shər How to pronounce fracture (audio)
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 How to pronounce fracture (audio)
1
: to cause a fracture in
fracture a rib
2
: to cause a rupture or tear in
a blow that fractured a kidney

More from Merriam-Webster on fracture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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