adhesion

noun

ad·​he·​sion ad-ˈhē-zhən 

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 

-ˈhē-zhə-nᵊl

əd-

adjective

Synonyms

• adherence
• bonding
• cling

Examples of adhesion in a Sentence

the adhesion of the coating

the adhesion of the mud to my shoes

Recent Examples on the Web

This movement is inspired by how tiny insects walk on water, using adhesion forces that dominate at such small scales. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025

Moreover, integrin β1 is seen to strengthen cell-substrate adhesions in fibroblasts, potentially offering an explanation for the thicker stress fibers seen in older cells. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025

These products might restore the paint's adhesion properties. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025

The most common cause of adhesions in women is endometriosis. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for adhesion

• artesian
• cartesian
• cohesion
• elysian
• magnesian
• austronesian
• indonesian
• melanesian
• micronesian
• polynesian
• ferromagnesian
• friesian

Kids Definition

adhesion

noun

ad·​he·​sion ad-ˈhē-zhən 

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- 

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

-ˈhēzh-nəl, -ˈhē-zhən-ᵊl 

adjective