fissure

1 of 2

noun

fis·​sure ˈfi-shər How to pronounce fissure (audio)
1
: a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth usually occurring from some breaking or parting
a fissure in the earth's crust
2
a
: a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ
b
: a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane
3
: a separation or disagreement in thought or viewpoint : schism
fissures in a political party

fissure

2 of 2

verb

fissured; fissuring

transitive verb

: to break into fissures : cleave

Examples of fissure in a Sentence

Noun a fissure in the Earth's crust a deep fissure in the ice
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The fissure over transgender issues stretches beyond the walls of the Capitol building. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2024 Obviously its most defining feature is its facade, which looks almost like an earthquake has opened up a fissure in the building. Adam Williams, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
Bravo’s cameras were rolling as Team Teresa and Team Melissa took their places, representing how deep the relationship between the sisters-in-law has fissured after 14 and 12 seasons, respectively, for the Real Housewives icons. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2024 Popular on Variety Heartache is the album’s narrative throughline, and .Paak takes listeners through a relationship that’s fissured beyond repair. John Kennedy, Variety, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for fissure 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fissure, borrowed from Latin fissūra "splitting, crack, opening," from fissus, past participle of findere "to split, cleave" + -ūra -ure — more at bite entry 1

Verb

derivative of fissure entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of fissure was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fissure

Cite this Entry

“Fissure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fissure. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fissure

noun
fis·​sure
ˈfish-ər
1
: a narrow opening or crack
a fissure in rock
2
: a narrow natural space between body parts (as bones of the skull) or in the material making up an organ
fissure verb

Medical Definition

fissure

noun
1
: a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ: as
a
: any of several clefts separating the lobes of the liver
b
: any of various clefts between bones or parts of bones in the skull
c
: any of the deep clefts of the brain
especially : one of those located at points of elevation in the walls of the ventricles compare sulcus
2
: a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane
fissure of the lip
3
: a linear developmental imperfection in the enamel of a tooth

More from Merriam-Webster on fissure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!