stress fracture

noun

: a usually hairline fracture of a bone that has been subjected to repeated stress

Examples of stress fracture in a Sentence

The gymnast developed a stress fracture in her ankle.

Recent Examples on the Web

Anderson’s injury record is slightly worse by virtue of a stress fracture in his back that kept him out for four months in the middle of the 2023-24 season, but over the two subsequent campaigns both have been near-constantly available. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Additionally, the club is missing young pitchers Ryan Bergert (Tommy John surgery) and Ben Kudrna (olecranon stress fracture fixation surgery). — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

Nagornaya saw stress fractures on the L5 vertabrae and a disc herniation that compressed the left L3 nerve root. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

The Yankees are also playing without All World All Star Aaron Judge (ribs stress fracture) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton (strained calf). — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stress fracture

• contracture
• facture
• manufacture

Medical Definition

stress fracture

noun

: a usually hairline fracture of a bone (as of the foot or lower leg) that has been subjected to repeated stress

occurrence of stress fractures among joggers