rupture

1 of 2

noun

rup·​ture ˈrəp(t)-shər 

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 

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

Only the Earth's brittle crust and descending cool slabs of tectonic plates can store and release elastic energy through fault ruptures. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Usually the artist will feel obligated to give the audience a breather with at least a couple songs that deal with something other than the central rupture, or which flash forward to assure everyone that the singer is doing all right and healing up, thank you, post-split. —Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025

Verb

There’s a persistent myth on the internet that the pressure from the plates used in mammograms could rupture, shift or crush implants—the procedure involves having plates and pressure applied to the chest—but the radiologists say this is not true. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2025

Any aneurysm has the potential to rupture, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke, brain injury, coma or death. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing rupture

• rupture oneself

Kids Definition

rupture

1 of 2 noun

rup·​ture ˈrəp-chər 

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 

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 

transitive verb

: to produce a rupture in

rupture an eardrum

intransitive verb

: to have or undergo a rupture