fixture

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noun fix·ture \ ˈfiks-chər \

Definition of fixture

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

See fixture defined for English-language learners

See fixture defined for kids

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 of fixture from the Web

As a result, many of the fixtures of modern-day campaigning — invitation-only fundraisers requiring hefty donations in advance, pitches to small but powerful groups of wealthy donors — have fallen by the wayside.

— rachel siegel, Washington Post, "Under new public finance law, Montgomery candidates change fundraising tactics," 17 Aug. 2017
Hang a dark blue bulb in your porch-light fixture to turn your front porch into a shadowy dungeon, or use dark blue floodlights to bathe your front yard in eerie moonlight, which makes the perfect lighting for a graveyard display.

— kiona smith-strickland, Popular Mechanics, "5 Scary Ways to Light Up Your Yard for Halloween," 15 Aug. 2017
Martin said an examination of the schools showed broken bathroom fixtures, leaks and other problems.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Changed vote clears way for Gary school bus service," 27 July 2017
Daily press briefings became infrequent, were moved off-camera, and Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders became a more permanent fixture in the Brady Briefing Room, leaving Spicer on the sidelines.

— vanityfair.com, "Sean Spicer Resigns After Six Months on the Job," 21 July 2017
Daily press briefings became infrequent, were moved off-camera, and Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders became a more permanent fixture in the Brady Briefing Room, leaving Spicer on the sidelines.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "Sean Spicer Resigns After Six Months on the Job," 21 July 2017
Additionally, the new lighting fixtures will greatly reduce the ongoing maintenance over the old sodium bulbs.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Clermont County Roundup: County Fair fun, a land battle, road and light improvements in Loveland," 20 July 2017
The fire damaged the shop’s electrical fixtures, air-conditioning units, plumbing, some of the walls and much of the building’s interior.

— lance dixon, miamiherald, "This North Miami coffee shop nearly burned down. Now it’s back in business," 18 July 2017
As the mycelium grows, the filaments fasten together and turn the fixture white, leaving behind scattered brown flecks that give the lampshades an earthy look.

— nina friend, Bon Appetit, "These Gorgeous Lamps Are Made Out of Edible Mushrooms," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fixture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fixture

modification of Late Latin fixura, from Latin fixus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

See Words from the same year

fixture Synonyms

Synonyms

institution

Related Words

first lady, grand old man; icon (also ikon), symbol; dean, elder statesman

FIXTURE Defined for English Language Learners

fixture

play

noun

Definition of fixture for English Language Learners

: something (such as a light, toilet, sink, etc.) that is attached to a house or building and that is not removed when the house or building is sold
: a person or thing that has been part of something or involved in something for a long time
sports : a game played at a particular time and place