fissure

1 of 2

noun

fis·​sure ˈfi-shər How to pronounce fissure (audio)
Synonyms of fissurenext
1
: a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth usually occurring from some breaking or parting
a fissure in the earth's crust
2
a
: a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ
b
: a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane
3
: a separation or disagreement in thought or viewpoint : schism
fissures in a political party

fissure

2 of 2

verb

fissured; fissuring

transitive verb

: to break into fissures : cleave

intransitive verb

: crack, divide

Synonyms

Noun

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Examples of fissure in a Sentence

Noun a fissure in the Earth's crust a deep fissure in the ice
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
Angela Stent, a former national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council, said Putin is likely in no rush to end the war amid the fissures between Trump and Zelensky and between Europe and the U.S. about the way ahead. — Aamer Madhani, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025 With support for Proposition 1 varying little across race or geography, ideological lines proved to be the main fissure. — Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
Although the year leading up to our wedding had altered our relationship, fissured it with cracks, the fundamental form remained — lovely in a different way, and more interesting. — Devon Fredericksen, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 One nasty cutback on his first touch fissured Buffalo’s defense for an 87-yard score. — Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fissure

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fissure, borrowed from Latin fissūra "splitting, crack, opening," from fissus, past participle of findere "to split, cleave" + -ūra -ure — more at bite entry 1

Verb

derivative of fissure entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of fissure was in the 14th century

Rhymes for fissure

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Browse Nearby Words

fissure
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Cite this Entry

“Fissure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fissure. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

fissure

noun
fis·​sure
ˈfish-ər
1
: a narrow opening or crack
a fissure in rock
2
: a narrow natural space between body parts (as bones of the skull) or in the material making up an organ
fissure verb

Medical Definition

fissure

noun
fis·​sure ˈfish-ər, British also ˈfish-yu̇r How to pronounce fissure (audio)
1
: a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ: as
a
: any of several clefts separating the lobes of the liver
b
: any of various clefts between bones or parts of bones in the skull
c
: any of the deep clefts of the brain
especially : one of those located at points of elevation in the walls of the ventricles compare sulcus
d
: anterior median fissure
also : posterior median septum
2
: a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane
fissure of the lip
3
: a linear developmental imperfection in the enamel of a tooth
fissured
ˈfish-ərd, British also ˈfish-yu̇rd How to pronounce fissure (audio)
adjective

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