fracture

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. a crack or split in a rock or the earth's surface.

n. any separation in a geologic formation, such as a joint or a fault, that divides the rock into two or more pieces.

“Water seeped into the fractures in the cliff, causing the rock to split.”

“Geologists monitored the deep fractures in the bedrock, noting that increased pressure from groundwater could trigger minor seismic activity.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to break or crack, or to cause something to break.

v. to undergo or cause a break or crack in a hard object or material.

Español:fracturar

“The cold weather caused the old pipes to fracture and leak.”

“The extreme thermal stress caused the glass casing to fracture, compromising the vacuum seal of the experimental chamber.”

C1 · Advanced Formal

v. to divide a group of people into smaller, often angry, parts.

v. to cause a group, organisation, or society to split into fragments or disagreeing factions.

“The political party began to fracture after the leaders disagreed on the new law.”

“The coalition began to fracture along ideological lines, making it nearly impossible for the prime minister to pass the proposed budget.”

C2 · Proficiency Slang · American English

v. to make someone laugh very hard.

v. to amuse someone intensely or cause them to laugh uncontrollably.

“That comedian's jokes about his cat really fractured the audience.”

“His deadpan delivery of such absurd anecdotes never failed to fracture the room, even among the most cynical critics.”