fracture
noun
frac·ture
| \ ˈfrak-chər
, -shər\
, -shər\
Definition of fracture
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: the result of fracturing : break
2a
: 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
verb
fractured;
fracturing\ ˈfrak-chə-riŋ
, -shriŋ \
, -shriŋ \
Definition of fracture (Entry 2 of 2)
2a
: 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
: to undergo fracture : to crack or break
Her wrist fractured in the fall.
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Synonyms for fracture
Synonyms: Verb
break, break up, bust, disintegrate, dismember, disrupt, fragment, rive
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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: Noun
On the better days — awe starts to bind my fractures. — Ailsa Ross, Longreads, "Mountains, Transcending," 9 Aug. 2019 The Jefferson County Coroner's Office, Rector said, determined that Levi suffered a significant skull fracture. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "21-year-old found guilty in blunt force trauma death of girlfriend’s toddler daughter," 5 Aug. 2019 Andre Iguodala disclosed that the Golden State Warriors called his leg fracture a bone bruise last year in the playoffs. — Tim Bielik, cleveland.com, "Marc Gasol exercises player option to stay with Toronto Raptors: Report," 26 June 2019 In addition to her skull fracture, Jazmine sustained broken ribs and injuries on her arms and legs, the autopsy found. — Washington Post, "An infant arrived at a hospital with 96 bone fractures. Her parents are accused in her death.," 25 June 2019 Pollock is expected to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine how his thumb fracture has healed in the last few weeks. — Richard Morin, azcentral, "Despite struggles, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo still 'proud' of offense," 28 May 2018 But when his lead actress fractures her ankle before opening night, Julian entrusts the fate of the production to her replacement, the starry-eyed newcomer Peggy (Ruby Keeler), who goes on to steal the show. — New York Times, "What’s on TV Tuesday: ‘Steven Tyler: Out on a Limb’ and ‘New Girl’," 15 May 2018 Here are 5 things to watch for at the scrimmage Saturday, which starts at 11 a.m. Jake Luton is back from his scary season-ending spine fracture and practicing without restrictions. — Danny Moran, OregonLive.com, "Oregon State football scrimmage in Beaverton: 5 things to watch," 13 Apr. 2018 Also, Rivera said Olsen won’t need a second surgery on his Jones’ fracture, a foot injury that often requires follow-up procedures. — Joseph Person, charlotteobserver, "7 things we learned from Panthers’ Ron Rivera at NFL owners meetings | Charlotte Observer," 27 Mar. 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
As a result, the Democrats came across as a party fractured by deep ideological fissures over health care, immigration and criminal justice. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, "The Democratic Party Is Culling the Field Too Soon," 1 Aug. 2019 How much will the loss of DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who fractured his neck in a car accident and is expected to be out until at least late September, hurt? — Stephen Ruiz, orlandosentinel.com, "Bucs, Dolphins, Jags seek answers to roster questions as training camps start," 25 July 2019 Must-Read Nebraska hasn’t graced the Flatirons since 2009, when the Huskers and Buffs were both members of a fracturing Big 12. — Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post, "Peyton Manning on why Broncos’ Von Miller is best athlete he’s ever played with," 15 July 2019 Other bones fractured and destroyed the fetlock joint, an equine version of the human wrist. — Elliott Almond, The Mercury News, "Racing in crisis: It’s not just Santa Anita. Horse deaths plague East Bay track and others around country," 29 June 2019 As the gun group has fractured, Brewer’s firm has been a key player in a series of expensive lawsuits against former business partners, government officials and North, in certain cases seeking damages worth tens of millions of dollars. — Mike Spies, ProPublica, "New Documents Raise Ethical and Billing Concerns About the NRA’s Outside Counsel," 30 July 2019 As our politics have fractured increasingly around race, there seems to be more and more confusion about who’s discriminating against whom. — Keith Payne, Scientific American, "The Truth about Anti-White Discrimination," 18 July 2019 Defender Robin Jansson took a hit to the torso during the U.S. Open Cup win over New York City FC that trainers feared might have fractured his ribs. — Julia Poe, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City pushes through bumps, bruises while managing heavy schedule," 17 July 2019 The controversy instantly united congressional Democrats who last week had been fractured over efforts by the four members – Reps. — Susan Page, USA TODAY, "Tweet, outrage, double-down: Will the furor over Trump's tweets be any different?," 15 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fracture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for fracture
fracture
noun
English Language Learners Definition of fracture
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the result of breaking something : a crack or break
especially
: a broken bone
fracture
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of fracture (Entry 2 of 2)
: to cause a crack or break in (something hard, such as a bone)
of something hard
: to crack or break
: to damage or destroy (something) or to be damaged or destroyed in a sudden or violent way
See the full definition for fracture in the English Language Learners Dictionary