rupture

1 of 2

noun

rup·​ture ˈrəp(t)-shər How to pronounce rupture (audio)
1
: breach of peace or concord
specifically : open hostility or war between nations
2
a
: the tearing apart of a tissue
rupture of the heart muscle
rupture of an intervertebral disc
b
: hernia
3
: a breaking apart or the state of being broken apart

rupture

2 of 2

verb

ruptured; rupturing ˈrəp(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce rupture (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to part by violence : break, burst
b
: to create or induce a breach of
2
: to produce a rupture in

intransitive verb

: to have or undergo a rupture

Examples of rupture in a Sentence

Noun A rupture in the pipeline resulted in major water damage. a rupture of an artery an infection that could cause rupture of the eardrum The conflict caused a rupture in relations between the former allies. They're trying to heal the rupture in their relationship. Verb The pipe ruptured because of high water pressure. High water pressure ruptured the pipe. The impact ruptured his liver. The scandal ruptured relations between the two countries. The crime ruptured the peace of a small town.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This rapid change prompts the collagen and elastin in your skin to rupture, causing stretch marks to appear. Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 7 Mar. 2024 The West was, in short, psychologically prepared for a rupture like the Nixon Shock. Yanis Varoufakis, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2024 The tribe worries a rupture could happen as early as this spring. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2024 There are few contemporary sources for Spinoza’s early life, and it’s not known precisely what led to this rupture. Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Ligament ruptures can require a boot or brace, and can take up anywhere from six to 12 weeks for recovery. Katherine Kallergis, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ clinical guidelines for managing pre-labor rupture of membranes, in which a patient’s water breaks before labor begins, state that women should be offered options, including ending the pregnancy. Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Recht, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 Honda has reported 17 U.S. deaths and more than 200 injuries in the United States related to Takata inflator ruptures. Reuters, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2024 There's a risk of infection … the risk of uterine rupture. CBS News, 12 Jan. 2024
Verb
And there’s some reason for that, because the South was willing to rupture the nation to preserve slavery. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 In an Instagram Story viewed by PEOPLE on Friday, Locken said that the necrosis from the flesh-eating bacteria is what caused her implants to rupture. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024 Rage Against the Machine did get back together for a reunion tour in 2007 that lasted on and off til 2011, and another one in 2022 that flamed out after just 19 shows due to de la Rocha rupturing his Achilles tendon. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2024 The Baltimore City Fire Department’s HAZMAT team responded to the scene, and while tanks ruptured in the crash and leaked hydraulic fluid, there are no reported injuries, spokesperson Kevin Cartwright said. Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024 That meant there was a relatively small but increased chance that, during delivery, the scar from her prior surgery could tear and her uterus could rupture — a potentially life-threatening event for both her and her baby. Elizabeth Cohen, STAT, 23 Feb. 2024 If a city pipe in the street unexpectedly ruptures and water inundates your property, that is something that a flood policy may provide protection against. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 But there are other, less visible signs of damage as some cells in the trunk of the tree could have ruptured — called ring shake. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024 Judge Frank Easterbrook said the panel likely won't issue a ruling for at least several months. Enbridge has been under scrutiny since 2010, when its Line 6B pipeline ruptured in southern Michigan, releasing 800,000 gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo River system. Todd Richmond, Quartz, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rupture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ruptur, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French rupture, from Latin ruptura fracture, from ruptus, past participle of rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1578, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rupture was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rupture

Cite this Entry

“Rupture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rupture. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rupture

1 of 2 noun
rup·​ture ˈrəp-chər How to pronounce rupture (audio)
1
: a break in peaceful or friendly relations
2
: a breaking or tearing apart (as of body tissue)
a rupture in an artery
3
: hernia

rupture

2 of 2 verb
ruptured; rupturing
1
: to part by violence : break
2
: to produce a rupture in
3
: to have a rupture
Etymology

Noun

Middle English ruptur "a breach of the peace," from early French rupture "a breach of the peace" or Latin ruptura "fracture, break," from Latin ruptus, past participle of rumpere "to break" — related to corrupt, interrupt

Medical Definition

rupture

1 of 2 noun
rup·​ture ˈrəp-chər How to pronounce rupture (audio)
1
: the tearing apart of a tissue
rupture of heart muscle
rupture of an intervertebral disc
2
: hernia

rupture

2 of 2 verb
ruptured; rupturing -chə-riŋ, -shriŋ How to pronounce rupture (audio)

transitive verb

: to produce a rupture in
rupture an eardrum

intransitive verb

: to have or undergo a rupture
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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