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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Geologically, the earthquake triggered a 125-kilometer rupture along the Philippine Fault, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 The patient was at risk of liver rupture because of a tumor on the organ’s right side. Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Just half a year earlier, in March 2024, a landslide in the Trou sans Fond had ruptured all three cables, throttling or even blacking out the internet in Côte d’Ivoire and 12 other countries. Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025 Indian newspaper The Tribune said that Ghuman ruptured a muscle in his chest, which led to his hospitalization at Fortis Hospital in Amritsar. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rupture

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rupture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rupture. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rupture

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