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

The rupture caused a power outage at the powerhouse, triggering an abrupt drop in releases from Englebright Dam and reducing flows in the lower Yuba River for about two hours. —Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026

This operational overreach risks catastrophic mechanical failure, where the combined effects of high-velocity turbulence and vibrational fatigue can trigger a systemic rupture. —Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

Verb

Officials have finished cleanup and containment efforts at Englebright Lake following a 14-foot-diameter pipeline ruptured at the New Colgate Powerhouse, the Yuba Water Agency announced on Friday. —Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026

Call it a well-ahead-of-schedule return for Tatum, the perennial All-Star who ruptured his Achilles in Game 4 of the Boston Celtics’ second-round playoff series against the Knicks last season. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026

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