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

The group’s demise reflects broad cultural changes, including a fractured media environment and consumers’ shift to streaming and social media apps such as TikTok for entertainment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Despite being barred from running herself, she succeeded in uniting an often fractured opposition behind the little-known candidate who replaced her on the ballot, Edmundo González.

Read more on BBC

Already, the coalition he relies on to remain in power is showing fractures, with extremist figures representing settler interests expressing their anger that Netanyahu didn’t stay the course and continue fighting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the face of this fracturing conflict, it is civilians on the ground who face more suffering in this new wave of paramotor terror against soft targets.

Read more on BBC

Throughout his career, Ovechkin largely dodged serious injury until last November, when he fractured his fibula after getting clipped in the leg by an opposing defender.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crack 
• fissure 
• wound