fracture

[ frak-cher ]

noun

1. the breaking of a bone, cartilage, or the like, or the resulting condition. Compare comminuted fracture, complete fracture, compound fracture, greenstick fracture, simple fracture.
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)

, frac·tured, frac·tur·ing.

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)

, frac·tured, frac·tur·ing.

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

/ frăk′chər /

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈfracturable, adjective
• ˈfractural, adjective

Other Words From

• fractur·a·ble adjective
• fractur·al adjective
• fractur·er noun
• post·fracture adjective noun
• re·fractur·a·ble adjective
• re·fracture verb refractured refracturing
• un·fractured 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

Risk of death from hip fracture increases with age, making bone loss one of the most significant long-term dangers of extended space missions.

From Salon

The anti-fluoridation camp has long claimed that the process “increased the risk for cancer, Down syndrome, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fracture, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, low intelligence, Alzheimer disease, allergic reactions, and other health conditions,” the CDC noted in 1999.

From Los Angeles Times

And adults can sometimes cough so hard that they fracture their ribs.

From Los Angeles Times

"That was also quite hard because every few weeks I thought I'll be back on the road next week, next week, next week. And then I had to wait 90 days for the fracture to be completely consolidated."

From BBC

Ms Hogan, then 19, suffered a punctured lung, spinal fracture and a bleed on the brain, leaving her unable to walk or talk.

From BBC

Related Words

• crack
• fissure
• wound