attachment

noun

at·​tach·​ment ə-ˈtach-mənt How to pronounce attachment (audio)
plural attachments
1
: a seizure by legal process
also : the writ or precept commanding such seizure
2
a
: the state of being personally attached : fidelity
attachment to a cause
b
: affectionate regard
a deep attachment to nature
c
psychology : a strong emotional bond that an infant forms with a caregiver (such as a mother) especially when viewed as a basis for normal emotional and social development
Of course, the mother provides food and warmth, but for the purposes of attachment what really matters is the sense of safety, comfort, and refuge the mother provides.Henry Gleitman et al.
also : the process by which an infant forms such an emotional bond
Healthy attachment, via attuned parenting, equips human beings for resilience, success, and emotional, psychological, and physiological well-being. Lindsey Porter
3
: a device attached to a machine or implement
4
: the physical connection by which one thing is attached to another
5
: the process of physically attaching
6
: a separate document or file that is included and sent with an electronic message (such as an email or text message)
The trick to sending attachments successfully is to know what e-mail program and operating system your recipient uses.Adam C. Engst

Examples of attachment in a Sentence

The vacuum cleaner attachments help clean in tight spaces. I need a longer attachment for the drill. I'll send the document as an attachment to my next e-mail.
Recent Examples on the Web Balancing employee need for personal space and boundaries with social bonds and emotional attachment will be an important learning step for your servant leaders. Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024 Although cats often are viewed as independent and aloof, recent studies have found that cats can show attachment to humans, pick up social cues from humansand even recognize their owner’s voice. Judith Stella, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024 Months of lockdown deepened their attachment, but now the therapist’s daughter had begun questioning the morality of bringing children into such a broken world. Sigrid Nunez, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2024 The Statik® 360 Pro Cable is a streamlined solution that gives you one durable cable with multiple magnetic attachments for different types of devices. Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attachment 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attachment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of attachment was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near attachment

Cite this Entry

“Attachment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attachment. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

attachment

noun
at·​tach·​ment ə-ˈtach-mənt How to pronounce attachment (audio)
1
: a legal taking of property
2
: strong affection : fondness
3
: a device with a special use that is attached to a machine or tool
attachments for a vacuum cleaner
4
: the connection by which one thing is attached to another
5
: the process of physically attaching
6
: a document or file that is sent with email

Medical Definition

attachment

noun
at·​tach·​ment ə-ˈtach-mənt How to pronounce attachment (audio)
1
: a strong emotional bond that an infant forms with a caregiver (such as a mother) especially when viewed as a basis for normal emotional and social development
also : the process by which an infant forms an attachment
2
: the physical connection by which one thing is attached to another
sever the attachments of a muscle to a bone
attach verb

More from Merriam-Webster on attachment

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