fracture

noun

frac·ture | \ˈfrak-chər,

-shər\

Definition of fracture

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 ,

-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 & Antonyms 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

Martinez sustained a fracture in her right foot and bloody injuries to her left ankle and leg. — Matt Campbell, kansascity, "Netflix recording of ICE officer shoving lawyer might not be used in investigation," 6 July 2018 In 2011 a 4-year-old died after apparently colliding with another dolphin shortly before a show and suffering a skull fracture in what was termed a freak accident. — Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Young Brookfield Zoo dolphin dies unexpectedly," 12 June 2018 Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer played the entire game for the defending World Cup champion Germans in his first match since suffering a hairline fracture in his left foot in September . . . — BostonGlobe.com, "Ireland tops United States men’s soccer on late goal," 2 June 2018 The first time came in July 2014, when her then-3-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a skull fracture and a gash on her scalp. — David Ovalle, miamiherald, "State seeks death penalty for Miami mom whose baby died from scalding bath," 15 June 2018 Doctors would not sterilize tools and often poked their dirty fingers into bullet wound and skull fractures to dig out lead and bone fragments. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Inca Skull Surgeons Had Better Success Rates Than American Civil War Doctors," 14 June 2018 After a traumatic injury, such surgery would have cleaned up skull fractures and relieved pressure on the brain, which commonly swells and accumulates fluid after a blow to the head. — Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, "South America’s Inca civilization was better at skull surgery than Civil War doctors," 8 June 2018 An autopsy found the boy suffered from skull fractures and brain injuries, liver lacerations and nerve damage in both eyes. — Washington Post, "Suspect in baby’s death was in counseling," 21 May 2018 Nueces County Medical Examiner Ray Fernandez told the jury the victim died from homicidal violence, and that either a skull fracture or plastic material that had to be cut off the skeleton could have caused the death. — Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, "Punishment phase begins for San Antonio man convicted of killing brother," 13 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Erdogan was reelected last month despite an unusually unified challenge by Turkey’s often fractured opposition. — Kareem Fahim, Washington Post, "As Erdogan prepares for new term, Turkey dismisses more than 18,000 civil servants," 8 July 2018 The Cavaliers made it to the NBA Finals that year, but Irving fractured his kneecap and missed Games 2-6. — Jenna West, SI.com, "Report: Kyrie Irving Never Wanted LeBron James to Return to the Cavaliers," 6 July 2018 The Chicago Tribune reported that the Kevin’s mother, Irma Burrage, was told by doctors that her son has fractured ribs and is breathing through a tube. — Jameelah Nasheed, Teen Vogue, "Chicago Police Officer Shot and Seriously Injured a Teen," 3 July 2018 While driving home from a school football game last October, Coulapides was in a single-car accident that severed his spine, fractured his sternum and left him paralyzed from the chest down. — Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Elite adaptive surfers offer an ocean of possibilities," 29 June 2018 The messages are clearer now without alcohol, if still fractured. — Laura Raskin, Curbed, "A daughter recounts her mother’s memory loss—and mounting fascination with crow figurines," 18 May 2018 To get to the mountains in Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Vonn has overcome injury that would be debilitating to most, including a fractured humerus bone, a fractured ankle, and a knee fractured three times over. — Christine Flammia, Esquire, "Here Are 10 Things You Didn't Know About Lindsey Vonn," 16 Feb. 2018 The director spent 10 days in the hospital suffering a concussion, fractured skull and hemorrhaging. — Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, "Kong: Skull Island Director Says He Was 'Almost Killed' in Brutal Vietnamese Club Attack," 10 July 2018 When James came home in 2014-15, such problems didn't strike until the playoffs when Love suffered a separated shoulder in the first round against the Boston Celtics and Irving fractured his kneecap in overtime of Game 1 of the Finals. — Tribune News Service, OregonLive.com, "LeBron James' free agency decision: Family priorities, 'championship mode' could collide," 9 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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