frac·ture
ˈfrak-chər 
-shər
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
fractured; fracturing
ˈfrak-chə-riŋ
-shriŋ
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
Sheldon Cheney
: 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
Her wrist fractured when she fell on the ice.
Their happiness was fractured by an unforeseen tragedy.
These problems may fracture the unity of the two parties.
Their fragile happiness fractured all too soon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Research also indicates that being underweight increases the risk of bone fractures and bone loss.
—Laura Schober, Health, 6 Mar. 2025
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
He had been wounded last summer, not far from the Russian border in northeastern Ukraine, when a blast from a grenade fractured his right shoulder blade, a bullet hit him just below his right collarbone, another tore through his left shoulder, and a third broke three ribs.
—Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracture
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Noun
In a hint of Five Eyes fractures, the Financial Times reported late last month that one of Trump's top officials, Peter Navarro, had lobbied for the U.S. to remove Canada from the Five Eyes.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Research also indicates that being underweight increases the risk of bone fractures and bone loss.
—Laura Schober, Health, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
Continued calls for the Zelensky's resignation will likely fracture Washington and Kyiv's relations going forward, as Ukraine has expressed support for its president.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
He had been wounded last summer, not far from the Russian border in northeastern Ukraine, when a blast from a grenade fractured his right shoulder blade, a bullet hit him just below his right collarbone, another tore through his left shoulder, and a third broke three ribs.
—Michael Holtz, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fracture
Cite this Entry
“Fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracture. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fracture
1 of 2 noun
frac·ture
ˈfrak-chər, -shər
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
fractured; fracturing
-chə-riŋ, -shriŋ
1
: to cause a fracture in
fracture a rib
2
: to cause a rupture or tear in
a blow that fractured a kidney
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