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.
Synonyms
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
Sarah Darby, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
On the other hand, larger breeds like Labrador retrievers are more likely to get tooth fractures.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The crust of rocky worlds like our own, and even icy worlds like Jupiter's moon Europa, can be significantly fractured by the passage of a shockwave from an impact.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fracture 
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Noun
Some of the most common Halloween injuries include lacerations, fractures and burns while decorating.
—Sarah Darby, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
On the other hand, larger breeds like Labrador retrievers are more likely to get tooth fractures.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
With Lilia’s death fracturing the coven even deeper, whatever structure the Road had before starts to collapse.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
The crust of rocky worlds like our own, and even icy worlds like Jupiter's moon Europa, can be significantly fractured by the passage of a shockwave from an impact.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fracture
Dictionary Entries Near fracture
Cite this Entry
“Fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracture. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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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