fracture

1 of 2

noun

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

fracture

2 of 2

verb

fractured; fracturing ˈfrak-chə-riŋ 

-shriŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause a crack or fracture in : break

fracture a rib

b

: rupture, tear

2

a

: to damage or destroy as if by rupturing

an argument that fractured family relations

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.

Synonyms of fracture

Verb

• disrupt
• break
• fragment

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 series is set on the ultra-exclusive Jupiter Island where the privileged world of professional golfers and their wives fractures when a mysterious outsider arrives — and a secret threatens golf’s reigning power couple. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 July 2026

Even today, fewer than one in five patients receive appropriate osteoporosis care after a fracture — missing a critical opportunity to prevent the next, often more devastating, injury. — Matthew T. Drake, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Verb

But a leadership vacuum could fracture the Tibetan movement, potentially giving rise to younger, more radical factions that agitate for total independence, perhaps even violently. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

The rest happened silently, after the rocks had already fractured. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 8 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing fracture

• closed fracture
• compound fracture
• fracture zone
• freeze-fracture
• greenstick fracture
• open fracture
• simple fracture
• stress fracture

Rhymes for fracture

• facture
• contracture
• manufacture

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 

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