rup·ture
ˈrəp(t)-shər 
1
: breach of peace or concord
specifically
: open hostility or war between nations
2
a
: the tearing apart of a tissue
rupture of the heart muscle
rupture of an intervertebral disc
b
: hernia
3
: a breaking apart or the state of being broken apart
Examples of rupture in a Sentence
Noun
A rupture in the pipeline resulted in major water damage.
a rupture of an artery
an infection that could cause rupture of the eardrum
The conflict caused a rupture in relations between the former allies.
They're trying to heal the rupture in their relationship.
Verb
The pipe ruptured because of high water pressure.
High water pressure ruptured the pipe.
The impact ruptured his liver.
The scandal ruptured relations between the two countries.
The crime ruptured the peace of a small town.
Recent Examples on the Web
Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
Is Bi commenting on the technological ruptures of the sound era?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
Two years ago, in a supposedly meaningless fourth-quarter snap of a 56-19 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Dolphins’ top pass rusher ruptured his ACL, meniscus and patella tendon in his right knee.
—Miami Herald, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rupture
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Noun
Shanahan argues that, as the midterm elections approach, other Republicans could follow a similar path—using moments of public rupture to draw sharper distinctions between themselves and a President who has shown little tolerance for dissent within his own ranks.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
Is Bi commenting on the technological ruptures of the sound era?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
Several lanes of the 5 Freeway have been closed and a shelter-in-place order has been issued to residents in Castaic after a gas line ruptured on Saturday.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
Two years ago, in a supposedly meaningless fourth-quarter snap of a 56-19 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Dolphins’ top pass rusher ruptured his ACL, meniscus and patella tendon in his right knee.
—Miami Herald, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rupture
Cite this Entry
“Rupture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rupture. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rupture
2 of 2 verb
ruptured; rupturing
Medical Definition
rupture
2 of 2 verb
ruptured; rupturing
-chə-riŋ, -shriŋ
: to produce a rupture in
rupture an eardrum
: to have or undergo a rupture
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