attachment

noun

at·​tach·​ment ə-ˈtach-mənt 

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

Synonyms of attachment

• affection
• love
• devotion

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

And then Mowbray relates some personal evidence of what has not changed — Middlesbrough’s attachment to football. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The novelist and philosopher Iris Murdoch argued that the slow, daily work of cultivating good attachments and trying to see reality clearly is more effective than will power. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Contract terms that should drive a renewal quote sit in a PDF attachment instead of a structured field. — Eshaan Jain, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

And the launch of the new series nods to the growing attachment people have for video podcasts that features hosts in less professional and less glamorous settings. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing attachment

• attachment parenting
• on attachment

Rhymes for attachment

• detachment
• catchment
• reattachment

Kids Definition

attachment

noun

at·​tach·​ment ə-ˈtach-mənt 

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 

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

ə-ˈtach 

verb