noun
Uncommon
fracture
FRAK-chuh
Fracture (noun) means a break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material. Example: “X-rays showed a hairline fracture in her wrist.”
noun
1
A break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material.
"X-rays showed a hairline fracture in her wrist."
"Geologists mapped the fractures running through the cliff face."
"The doctor said the fracture would take about six weeks to heal."
verb
1
To break or crack, or to cause something to break.
"He fractured his ankle jumping off the wall."
"The disagreement threatened to fracture the alliance."
"A heavy frost can fracture the old pipes under the house."
How to use fracture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA break, either literal (a bone) or figurative (a relationship or agreement falling apart).
Common mistake
A fracture and a break are essentially the same thing medically — "fracture" is just the clinical term.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fracture a bone
stress fracture
hairline fracture
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Word forms
- Plural
- fractures
- Third person singular
- fractures
- Past tense
- fractured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
X-rays showed a hairline _____ in her wrist.
Etymology
From Latin frāctūra ("a break"), from frangere ("to break") — related to fraction and fragment.
Related words
Rhymes for fracture
See all rhymes for fracture →Frequently asked questions
What does “fracture” mean?
The word “fracture” means a break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material. In plain terms, a break, either literal (a bone) or figurative (a relationship or agreement falling apart).
How do you pronounce “fracture”?
“Fracture” is pronounced FRAK-chuh (/ˈfɹæk.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fracture” in a sentence?
Here is “fracture” used in a sentence: “X-rays showed a hairline fracture in her wrist.”
What part of speech is “fracture”?
Depending on how it is used, “fracture” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fracture” come from?
The word “fracture” comes from Latin. From Latin frāctūra ("a break"), from frangere ("to break") — related to fraction and fragment.
Is “fracture” a common word?
“Fracture” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fracture” have?
“Fracture” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a break, crack, or split — especially in a bone, but also in rock or other hard material.
What is the difference between a fracture and a break?
In medical usage, fracture and break refer to the same thing: a crack or split in a bone. Fracture is the more precise clinical term used by doctors, while break is the everyday word people use in casual speech.
Can fracture apply to things other than bones?
Yes. Fracture also describes a crack or split in rock or other hard material, and as a verb it can mean to break or cause something to break more generally, beyond just bones.
Is fracture used figuratively?
Yes, fracture can be used figuratively to describe a relationship, group, or agreement splitting apart or breaking down, similar to how a bone or rock might crack under stress.
