adhesion

noun

ad·​he·​sion ad-ˈhē-zhən How to pronounce adhesion (audio)
əd-
1
: steady or firm attachment : adherence
2
: the action or state of adhering
3
: the abnormal union of separate tissue surfaces by new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process
also : the newly formed uniting tissue
4
: agreement to join
adhesion of all nations to a copyright convention
5
: the molecular attraction exerted between the surfaces of bodies in contact
adhesional
ad-ˈhēzh-nəl How to pronounce adhesion (audio)
-ˈhē-zhə-nᵊl
əd-
adjective

Examples of adhesion in a Sentence

the adhesion of the coating the adhesion of the mud to my shoes
Recent Examples on the Web Plus, if burgeoning home decorators choose to reinvent their interiors at any point, the paper's adhesion technology allows it to be easily removed without damaging walls. Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 And luckily for the gecko, the structure of the spatulas makes the adhesion directional, so that when its toes are no longer being loaded, they can be easily peeled off of whatever they’re attached to. IEEE Spectrum, 6 Feb. 2024 Use a mild detergent or a degreaser to ensure a clean surface for better paint adhesion. Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024 Scar tissue, known as adhesions, can form after surgery or other trauma to the abdomen. Jonel Aleccia, Fortune Well, 15 July 2023 These should be applied over a completely smooth, flat, clean, and dry floor, and a primer is recommended for strong adhesion. Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2024 Grip levels proved reasonable, but there was no joy to be found in trying to push the limits of adhesion amid early-onset understeer and a lack of feedback. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 24 Aug. 2023 Intestinal obstruction could be caused by a number of possible conditions, according to John Hopkins Medicine — from abdominal adhesions, hernias, scar tissue formation, tumors, or even Chron's disease. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023 View Photos Up in the Hocking Hills, the Accord never threatened to wag its wagon tail, even at the limits of adhesion. Frank Markus, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French or Latin; French adhésion, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin adhaesiōn-, adhaesiō, from adhaes-, variant stem of adhaerēre "to adhere" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns (expected *adhaestiō presumably simplified to adhaesiō by analogy)

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of adhesion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near adhesion

Cite this Entry

“Adhesion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adhesion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

adhesion

noun
ad·​he·​sion ad-ˈhē-zhən How to pronounce adhesion (audio)
əd-
1
: steady or firm attachment
especially : a sticking together
2
: abnormal union of tissues following inflammation (as after surgery)
3
: the molecular attraction between surfaces of bodies in contact

Medical Definition

adhesion

noun
ad·​he·​sion ad-ˈhē-zhən, əd- How to pronounce adhesion (audio)
1
: the action or state of adhering
specifically : a sticking together of substances (as of glue and wood or of parts united by growth)
2
a
: the abnormal union of surfaces normally separate by the formation of new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process
also : the newly formed uniting tissue
pleural adhesions
b
: the union of wound edges especially by first intention
3
: the molecular attraction exerted between the surfaces of bodies in contact compare cohesion sense 2
adhesional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on adhesion

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