simple fracture

noun

: a fracture that does not penetrate or protrude through the skin : closed fracture compare compound fracture

Word History

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of simple fracture was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near simple fracture

simple fraction

simple fracture

simple harmonic motion

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Simple fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simple%20fracture. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

simple fracture

noun
: a breaking of a bone in such a way that the skin is not broken and bone fragments do not stick out compare compound fracture

Medical Definition

simple fracture

noun
: a bone fracture that does not penetrate or protrude through the skin : closed fracture compare compound fracture

More from Merriam-Webster on simple fracture

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about simple fracture

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
sweet smart pug puppy dog sitting in front of blackboard with chalk question marks
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Vol. 3 Do you have a (flare/flair) for choosing the righ...