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

He's a fixture on the stage.

4

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

also : such an event especially as a regularly scheduled affair

attended all the team's home fixtures

Synonyms of fixture

• 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

Modest, single-family homes with American flags are a common fixture. —Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026

But now, with the bloodless spectacle of a button being pushed to prompt a computer to decide the league-phase fixtures, then variables for the knockouts limited to deciding which of two pre-determined teams the winners of the play-offs would face, the old way actually seems quite diverting. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026

European light fixtures hang overhead. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026

The fan has six speeds and is surrounded by a ring of LED lights inside a slim-profile contemporary drum fixture. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

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