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hairline fracture

British  

noun

  1. a very fine crack in a bone

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was later revealed that Tucker sustained a hairline fracture in June, which he played through.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

With chilling nonchalance, Victor observes the start of a hairline fracture that will eventually produce a painful crack.

From Salon • Jul. 28, 2025

He had a hairline fracture in his shoulder early in a game in Week 6 at Cleveland and missed the next two games.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

It ended up being a hairline fracture in the floor.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2022

Then I watched as the little wisp of smoke drifted toward the floor of the airlock, disappearing through a hairline fracture.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

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