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

4

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

also : such an event especially as a regularly scheduled affair

Synonyms

• 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 film has become a fixture in pop culture, offering a slew of memes from iconic scenes that continue to take over social media timelines decades later. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Place them generously along walls, under furniture, behind toilets, in closets, crawl spaces, garages, attics, and near vents and light fixtures. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025

But their other theoretically difficult fixtures against PSV and Sporting CP look less daunting when Harry Kane (14 goals and three assists in seven matches across the Bundesliga and Champions League in 2025-26) is in this kind of form. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

Now in her third decade as Estée Lauder’s global Breast Cancer Campaign ambassador, Hurley has become a fixture of October’s awareness month — from speaking about self-checks and early detection to leading the annual pink landmark lightings. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025

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