detach

verb

de·​tach di-ˈtach 

dē-

detached; detaching; detaches

transitive verb

1

: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage

2

: disengage, withdraw

detachability

di-ˌta-chə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

dē-

noun

detachable

di-ˈta-chə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

detachably

di-ˈta-chə-blē 

dē-

adverb

Examples of detach in a Sentence

Detach the upper part of the form and return it with your payment.

During the accident the trailer was detached from the car.

The brush detaches from the vacuum cleaner for easy cleaning.

It can be difficult to detach yourself from the chaos of the situation.

She has been trying to detach herself from an abusive relationship.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Brit received a 10-second penalty for failing to slow down under double yellow flags, which was triggered when Alex Albon's wing mirror detached and ended up on the track. —Yara Elshebiny, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Leave the barrel spigot open and detach all of the removable accessories from your rain barrel, including the tubing, spigot, and lid. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024

This scene exemplifies how Telfar has mastered the art of making luxury playful and strong enough to detach from artificial scarcity. —Essence, 25 Nov. 2024

These homes typically range from 500 to 1,200 feet and can be attached or detached from the main house. —Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French détacher, from Old French destachier, from des- de- + -tachier (as in atachier to attach)

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

detach

verb

de·​tach di-ˈtach 

: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage

detachable

-ˈtach-ə-bəl 

adjective

detachably

-blē 

adverb