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

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 State inspectors said one patient sustained a skull fracture because the hospital failed to implement safety measures. — Stephanie Armour, WSJ, "Psychiatric Hospitals With Safety Violations Still Get Accreditation," 26 Dec. 2018 In the years since, archeologists have concluded from other Neanderthal remains that their bodies were riddled with trauma, particularly in terms of fractures or injuries on the head and neck. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "A new study further undermines the myth of the “savage” Neanderthal," 15 Nov. 2018 That said, the Koch feud is a portent of more fractures in the party system. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "Trump’s Ultimate Disruption," 8 Aug. 2018 Experiments with unconventional drilling in the 2000s were underwhelming -- the jumbled mix of fractures and reservoirs in the chalk made underground reserves too hard to pinpoint, said DrillingInfo's Johnson. — Alex Nussbaum, Houston Chronicle, "Aging oil play getting new life," 15 June 2018 Often the culprits are bone marrow lesions (BMLs)—areas of microscopic fractures resulting from weakened bone in the knee joint. — Orthocincy, Cincinnati.com, "New, less invasive treatment for chronic knee pain," 11 June 2018 Greaves’s decision to work with Marc Randazza, a lawyer whose other clients include Infowars’ Alex Jones and a number of neo-Nazis and white supremacists, has led to a fracture within TST. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "The Satanic Temple is divided over its leader’s decision to hire Alex Jones’s lawyer," 9 Aug. 2018 Accolades: Returned from wrist fracture to help Warriors reach state. — Logan Malloy, Daily Southtown, "Introducing the 2018 Daily Southtown Boys Volleyball All-Area Team," 14 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 Their relationship is fractured by the sudden disappearance of their four-year-old daughter, during a fleeting moment of inattentiveness by Cumberbatch's character, a noted children's book author named Stephen. — Brian Lowry, CNN, "Benedict Cumberbatch uses stardom to carry 'The Child in Time'," 30 Mar. 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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