fracture

[frak-cher]

noun

1. the breaking of a bone, cartilage, or the like, or the resulting condition.

2. the act of breaking; state of being broken.

3. a break, breach, or split.

4. the characteristic manner of breaking.

   a material of unpredictable fracture.

5. the characteristic appearance of a broken surface, as of a mineral.

verb (used with object)

fractured, fracturing 

1. to cause or to suffer a fracture in (a bone, etc.).

2. to break or crack.

   Synonyms: split, rupture, splinter, shatter, smash

3. Slang.,  to amuse highly or cause to laugh heartily; delight.

   The new comic really fractured the audience.

verb (used without object)

fractured, fracturing 

1. to become fractured; break.

   a mineral that does not fracture easily.

fracture

/ ˈfræktʃə /

noun

1. the act of breaking or the state of being broken

2. 1. the breaking or cracking of a bone or the tearing of a cartilage

   2. the resulting condition See also Colles' fracture comminuted fracture compound fracture greenstick fracture impacted

3. a division, split, or breach

4. mineralogy

   1. the characteristic appearance of the surface of a freshly broken mineral or rock

   2. the way in which a mineral or rock naturally breaks

verb

1. to break or cause to break; split

2. to break or crack (a bone) or (of a bone) to become broken or cracked

3. to tear (a cartilage) or (of a cartilage) to become torn

fracture

1. A break or rupture in bone tissue.

2. ◆ A comminuted fracture results in more than two fragments.

3. ◆ Although most fractures are caused by a direct blow or sudden, twisting force, stress fractures result from repetitive physical activity.

4. ◆ In an incomplete fracture, the fracture line does not completely traverse the bone.

Other Word Forms

• fracturable adjective
• fractural adjective
• fracturer noun
• postfracture adjective
• refracturable adjective
• refracture verb
• unfractured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracture¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin frāctūra “a breach, cleft, fracture,” from frāct(us) “broken” (past participle of frangere “to break, shatter”; break ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of fracture¹

C15: from Old French, from Latin fractūra , from frangere to break

Example Sentences

After three months at the Y, I was walking home from dinner one night when I tripped on a crack in a sidewalk and fractured my kneecap.

From Los Angeles Times

The 33-year-old sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about winning Euro 2025, playing the entire tournament with a fractured leg, plus being rejected by England as a youngster and her proud Portuguese heritage.

From BBC

The aftermath of that defeat turned sour as hugely popular manager Mauricio Pochettino failed to get the backing he believed he deserved - the fracture with his chairman leading to his sacking six months later.

From BBC

He sustained multiple serious injuries, according to the complaint filed in California’s Central District federal court on Aug. 25, including a fractured jaw, a punctured lung and a bruised collarbone.

From Los Angeles Times

He suffered nine broken ribs and a collapsed lung and fractured his pelvis and collarbone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crack 
• fissure 
• wound