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
• cling
• adhesiveness
• bonding

Examples of adhesion in a Sentence

the adhesion of the coating

the adhesion of the mud to my shoes

Recent Examples on the Web

Gorges has also been studying the seeds' cellulose nano fibers, which—depending on the level of hydration—can exhibit either high or low friction or adhesion. —ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025

Many of the affected genes have roles in key processes such as cell adhesion and migration, which are known to respond to mechanical forces. —Simon Makin, Scientific American, 30 June 2025

Octopus tentacles have remarkably strong suckers with an adhesion power that could be an asset to soft robots that need to pick things up and hold onto them. —ArsTechnica, 28 June 2025

The researchers tested the device’s long-term adhesion and electrical performance and compared it to the current, standard EEG using multiple electrodes. —New Atlas, 5 May 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