fissure

1 of 2

noun

fis·​sure ˈfi-shər 

1

: a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth usually occurring from some breaking or parting

a fissure in the earth's crust

2

a

: a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ

b

: a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane

3

: a separation or disagreement in thought or viewpoint : schism

fissures in a political party

fissure

2 of 2

verb

fissured; fissuring

transitive verb

: to break into fissures : cleave

intransitive verb

: crack, divide

Synonyms

Noun

• check
• chink
• cleft
• crack
• cranny
• crevice
• rift
• split

Examples of fissure in a Sentence

Noun

a fissure in the Earth's crust

a deep fissure in the ice

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On a recent Iceland expedition with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, my family, including my then six-year-old son, witnessed the horizon glow orange as a volcanic fissure erupted in the Reykjanes Peninsula. —Kerry Spencer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024

Russia likely would try to deepen these fissures and sow further doubts, prompting some European countries to hedge, distancing themselves from the West. —Elie Tenenbaum, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024

Verb

One nasty cutback on his first touch fissured Buffalo’s defense for an 87-yard score. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Bravo’s cameras were rolling as Team Teresa and Team Melissa took their places, representing how deep the relationship between the sisters-in-law has fissured after 14 and 12 seasons, respectively, for the Real Housewives icons. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French fissure, borrowed from Latin fissūra "splitting, crack, opening," from fissus, past participle of findere "to split, cleave" + -ūra -ure — more at bite entry 1

Verb

derivative of fissure entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

fissure

noun

fis·​sure

ˈfish-ər

1

: a narrow opening or crack

a fissure in rock

2

: a narrow natural space between body parts (as bones of the skull) or in the material making up an organ

fissure verb

Medical Definition

fissure

noun

fis·​sure ˈfish-ər, British also ˈfish-yu̇r 

1

: a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ: as

a

: any of several clefts separating the lobes of the liver

b

: any of various clefts between bones or parts of bones in the skull

c

: any of the deep clefts of the brain

especially : one of those located at points of elevation in the walls of the ventricles compare sulcus

d

: anterior median fissure

also : posterior median septum

2

: a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane

fissure of the lip

3

: a linear developmental imperfection in the enamel of a tooth

fissured

ˈfish-ərd, British also ˈfish-yu̇rd 

adjective