English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

rupture

RUHPT-shuh
noun
1
A sudden break, tear, or burst, especially in tissue or a container.
"The doctors treated the rupture in his appendix as an emergency."
"A rupture in the pipeline caused an oil spill."
2
A serious breakdown in a relationship or agreement between people or groups.
"The scandal caused a rupture between the two allied nations."
verb
1
To burst, break, or split apart, especially under pressure.
"The dam threatened to rupture after days of heavy rain."

How to Use Rupture

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sudden break or tear, whether physical (like a burst pipe or torn muscle) or relational (a serious falling-out).

Common pairings
a ruptured appendix rupture a disc a rupture in relations

Word Forms

ruptured past tense, ruptures plural, ruptures singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “rupture” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The doctors treated the _____ in his appendix as an emergency.

Etymology

From Latin ruptūra ("a breaking"), from rumpere ("to break, burst") — a doublet of "roture."

Rhymes for rupture

See all rhymes for rupture →
Definitions: FreeDict original editorial