fracture

noun

frac·ture | \ ˈfrak-chər $How to pronounce fracture (audio)$ , -shər\

Definition of fracture

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the result of fracturing : break

2a : 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

verb

fractured; fracturing\ ˈfrak-chə-riŋ $How to pronounce fracturing (audio)$ , -shriŋ \

Definition of fracture (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to cause a crack or fracture in : break fracture a rib

b : rupture, tear

2a : to damage or destroy as if by rupturing

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 More Example Sentences Learn More about fracture

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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

Yet the hawkish Bolton’s discussions in the European capitals are unlikely to smooth over what are becoming widening fractures in the trans-Atlantic relationship that the president has seemed to welcome. — Washington Post, "Courting Putin, Trump jolts the West with a nationalist bent," 21 June 2018 Neymar - Brazil After taking Ligue 1 by storm (if that's even a thing) the Brazilian has had a handy three months off after sustaining a metatarsal fracture. — SI.com, "7 Players Who Will Smash it at World Cup," 12 June 2018 Another sustained a wrist fracture, but didn’t see a doctor until three days later. — Allie Morris, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas has found 150 health violations at migrant children shelters," 8 June 2018 Medical personnel noticed the boy had an old leg fracture. — Marisa Kwiatkowski, Indianapolis Star, "DCS records: Father of 'grossly malnourished' 1-month-old had child welfare history," 4 June 2018 But like other popular groups such as The 1975 or '90s Scottish band, Geneva, their sound has enough fractures and chips in its gleam to allow for some raw edge. — Taylor Glasby, Teen Vogue, "The K-Pop Beginner's Guide: BTS, Girls' Generation, and More," 23 May 2018 Many of the bones show tooth marks and cracks, signs of being gnawed by smaller scavengers like foxes, wolves, and dogs, and a few have spiral fractures from being cracked open by larger scavengers hoping to get at the marrow inside. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "2,000 years ago in Denmark, a fierce battle left dozens dead," 21 May 2018 Superheated, that water rises, snaking upward through fractures in the ground and pooling on the surface as steaming water. — Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News, "Finding a steaming oasis, isolated and remote: A look at Alaska’s hot springs," 14 Apr. 2018 Meanwhile, Wendy continues to recover from a shoulder fracture and is currently seeking extensive treatment for complications related to Graves' disease. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "'The Wendy Williams Show' Replaced Wendy With Nick Cannon While She Recovers," 30 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Some Kewaunee residents say manure from growing dairy herds is too much for an area characterized by shallow soils and fractured bedrock called Silurian dolomite. — Jesse Newman And Patrick Mcgroarty, WSJ, "Farms, More Productive Than Ever, Are Poisoning Drinking Water in Rural America," 18 Jan. 2019 The basin’s weakened status reflects the success of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which uses a mixture of sand, water and chemicals to fracture underground rock formations and release the oil and gas trapped inside. — Micah Maidenberg, WSJ, "Miners Cut Back in Largest U.S. Coal Region," 31 Dec. 2018 Several of his ribs were fractured, Brnovich told WDIV. — Lisa Gutierrez, kansascity, "Dwight the greyhound runs for his life from fireworks and ends up in ICU," 3 July 2018 The arm, which was fractured just below the elbow when hit by a Keynan Middleton pitch in the ninth inning of a loss to the Los Angeles Angels, is fine. — Jeff Wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers' Andrus: 'I thought it was going to be a lot easier than it is'," 26 June 2018 The injury was most intense for the lower half of her body—her left femur was fractured, and her right leg was severely damaged. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "Warrior Games Athlete Stephanie Johnson Thought She'd Never Run Again—Now She's Competing in 5 Sports," 7 June 2018 That's when, police said, Gorrin admitted his child's legs were fractured several days before the family went to the hospital. — Charles Rabin, miamiherald, "Dad's explanation for breaking baby's legs: I was trying to relieve him of gas," 7 June 2018 About New Year’s Day 2019, a stratospheric polar vortex began to fracture in the Arctic. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "What Is a Polar Vortex? The Frigid Weather Pattern Explained," 16 Jan. 2019 Pollock, out since May 15 after fracturing his left thumb while diving for a ball, took batting practice against coaches Tuesday and reportedly felt good afterward. — Harvey Fialkov, azcentral, "Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray 'in really good shape,' ready for start vs. Marlins," 26 June 2018

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

History and Etymology for fracture

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

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