fixture

noun

fix·​ture ˈfiks-chər 

1

: the act or process of fixing : the state of being fixed

2

a

: something that is fixed or attached (as to a building) as a permanent appendage or as a structural part

a plumbing fixture

b

: a device for supporting work during machining

c

: an item of movable property so incorporated into real property that it may be regarded as legally a part of it

3

: a familiar or invariably present element or feature in some particular setting

especially : a person long associated with a place or activity

4

: a settled date or time especially for a sporting or festive event

also : such an event especially as a regularly scheduled affair

Synonyms

• institution

Examples of fixture in a Sentence

He's been a fixture in the parade for many years.

She hopes the new educational program will become a permanent fixture at the zoo.

Recent Examples on the Web

So, looking at the slate of fixtures for Gameweek 36 — and considering the teams who have the most to play for — who are the players to target and who should be avoided? —Holly Shand, New York Times, 8 May 2025

Airport staff dedicated hundreds of hours over the past year to retrofit nearly 200 light fixtures and overhaul lighting programming to meet strict criteria for responsible outdoor lighting. —Valerie Stimac, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

In a memo to the board and district Superintendent Adrian Talley, District 204 Director of Building Operations John Robinson said that the new fixtures will lower the district’s energy bills and qualify for a minimum of $60,000 in utility rebates. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025

His storied career and permanent fixture on the scene means the man has stories. —Meg Zukin, Time, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier fixure (probably after mixture), going back to Middle English, "point of attachment," borrowed from Late Latin fīxūra "action of fixing, place where a nail is fixed," from Latin fīxus, past participle of fīgere "to drive in, insert, fasten" + -ūra -ure — more at fix entry 1

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fixture

• plumbing fixture

Rhymes for fixture

• mixture
• admixture
• intermixture

Kids Definition

fixture

noun

fix·​ture ˈfiks-chər 

1

: the act of fixing : the state of being fixed

2

: something attached as a permanent part

bathroom fixtures

3

: one firmly established in a place

Legal Definition

fixture

noun

fix·​ture

: an item of movable property so incorporated into a real property that it may be regarded as legally a part of it