fracture

1 of 2

noun

1
: the result of fracturing : break
2
a
: the act or process of breaking or the state of being broken
especially : the breaking of hard tissue (such as bone)
b
: the rupture (as by tearing) of soft tissue
kidney fracture
3
: the general appearance of a freshly broken surface of a mineral

fracture

2 of 2

verb

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause a crack or fracture in : break
fracture a rib
b
2
a
: to damage or destroy as if by rupturing
b
: to cause great disorder in
c
: to break up : fractionate
d
: to go beyond the limits of (something, such as a rule) : violate
fractured many of the laws of probability … Sheldon Cheney

intransitive verb

: to undergo fracture : to crack or break
Her wrist fractured in the fall.

Examples of fracture in a Sentence

Noun a fracture in the Earth's crust She suffered a wrist fracture when she slipped on the ice. Verb
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
Skull fractures or fractures of other bones, bruising and other injuries are often found. Lori Frasier, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025 Throughout the bedrock, there are small cracks, called fractures, where water moves. Alec Janis, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
Bobby Templin’s thumb was fractured in January 2023 after a fight broke out at the Idaho State Correctional Center, south of Boise, where he was housed. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2025 The drama begins when some understanding is fractured: an understanding between two people or two companies, or between an institution and a person within an institution. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fracture

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Latin frāctūra "act of breaking, breaking of a bone," from frāctus (past participle of frangere "to break, shatter") + -ūra -ure — more at break entry 1

Verb

derivative of fracture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fracture was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracture. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

fracture

noun
frac·​ture
ˈfrak-chər,
-shər
1
: the act or process of breaking : the state of being broken
especially : the breaking of a bone
2
: the result of fracturing
especially : an injury resulting from fracture of a bone
fracture verb

Medical Definition

1
: the act or process of breaking or the state of being broken
specifically : the breaking of hard tissue and especially bone
2
: the rupture (as by tearing) of soft tissue
kidney fracture

fracture

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to cause a fracture in
fracture a rib
2
: to cause a rupture or tear in
a blow that fractured a kidney

More from Merriam-Webster on fracture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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