frac·ture
ˈfrak-chər
-shər
1
: the result of fracturing : break
2
a
: the act or process of breaking or the state of being broken
especially
: the breaking of hard tissue (such as bone)
b
: the rupture (as by tearing) of soft tissue
kidney fracture
3
: the general appearance of a freshly broken surface of a mineral
fractured; fracturing
ˈfrak-chə-riŋ
-shriŋ
2
a
: to damage or destroy as if by rupturing
an argument that fractured family relations
b
: to cause great disorder in
c
: to break up : fractionate
d
: to go beyond the limits of (something, such as a rule) : violate
… fractured many of the laws of probability …—Sheldon Cheney
: to undergo fracture : to crack or break
Her wrist fractured in the fall.
Cite this Entry
“Fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fracture. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.
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