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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Griffin has been sidelined by a hairline fracture in his right thumb but remains in the Ravens' plans as a backup to second-year starter Lamar Jackson. — Mark Maske, courant.com, "Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III entered the NFL with promise that will go unfulfilled," 26 Aug. 2019 In the semifinal game, Lansford was hit in the right wrist by a pitch, suffering a fracture. — Phil Jensen, The Mercury News, "Carney Lansford, Santa Clara Briarwood teammates remember Little League run," 19 Aug. 2019 Eight home run-less games after parrot Edwin appeared, Encarnacion was hit by a pitch on Aug. 3 and suffered a hairline fracture in his right wrist. — James Wagner, New York Times, "Gio Urshela and the Yankees’ M.V.P. (Most Valuable Parrot)," 15 Aug. 2019 Also arriving that year was former most valuable player Steve Nash, who sustained a fracture in his left leg in the second game of the season. — Arash Markazi, latimes.com, "Before Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard tried to be Lakers’ next great big man," 13 July 2019 John Lewis, a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, suffered a skull fracture. — al.com, "Who killed James Reeb? NPR ‘White Lies’ podcast shines light on 1965 Selma murder," 19 June 2019 This time, 2-year-old River Derby suffered a shoulder fracture during training. — Rana Cash, The Courier-Journal, "Another Santa Anita horse death puts Breeders' Cup site in greater jeopardy," 6 June 2019 On the better days — awe starts to bind my fractures. — Ailsa Ross, Longreads, "Mountains, Transcending," 9 Aug. 2019 The Jefferson County Coroner's Office, Rector said, determined that Levi suffered a significant skull fracture. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "21-year-old found guilty in blunt force trauma death of girlfriend’s toddler daughter," 5 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But the bus had a green light at the same time, and Gorman collided with a Line 9 bus and fractured his right hip. — oregonlive, "Portland pays $145,000 to end legal fight over 2015 bike, TriMet collision at ‘complex’ intersection," 4 Sep. 2019 McConnell fell and fractured his shoulder Sunday at home in Kentucky. — Hunter Woodall, Fortune, "2020 Democrats Lay Blame on Trump’s Rhetoric for Shootings," 5 Aug. 2019 McConnell fell and fractured his shoulder Sunday at home in Kentucky. — Washington Post, "2020 Democrats lay blame on Trump’s rhetoric for shootings," 3 Aug. 2019 Griffith had been in area assisted living and rehabilitation facilities since falling in January 2017 and fracturing his pelvis while walking his dogs near his Shaker Heights condominium. — Tom Feran, cleveland.com, "Fred Griffith, Cleveland TV legend, dies at 90," 19 July 2019 The African lion fell in his enclosure and fractured his jaw after a grand mal seizure Sunday, zoo officials said Wednesday. — Scottie Andrew And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, "A beloved 10-year-old lion has died after an epileptic seizure, Pittsburgh zoo says," 10 July 2019 Hoskins began the 2018 season hitting .233 with six home runs and 28 RBIs through 61 games before being placed on the 10-day disabled list after fracturing his jaw on May 28, according to MLB.com. — Alec Romero, sacbee, "‘It's pretty humbling’: Rhys Hoskins of Sac State and Jesuit makes more history in MLB," 29 June 2018 As a result, the Democrats came across as a party fractured by deep ideological fissures over health care, immigration and criminal justice. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, "The Democratic Party Is Culling the Field Too Soon," 1 Aug. 2019 How much will the loss of DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who fractured his neck in a car accident and is expected to be out until at least late September, hurt? — Stephen Ruiz, orlandosentinel.com, "Bucs, Dolphins, Jags seek answers to roster questions as training camps start," 25 July 2019

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

Keep scrolling for more