detachment

noun

de·​tach·​ment di-ˈtach-mənt 

dē-

1

: the action or process of detaching : separation

2

a

: the dispatch of a body of troops or part of a fleet from the main body for a special mission or service

b

: the part so dispatched

c

: a permanently organized separate unit usually smaller than a platoon and of special composition

3

a

: indifference to worldly concerns : aloofness

b

: freedom from bias or prejudice

Synonyms of detachment

• objectivity
• neutrality
• neutralism
• objectiveness

Examples of detachment in a Sentence

I wish the article had approached the issue with a bit more detachment.

The form is perforated to make detachment of the bottom section easier.

A detachment of soldiers was called to assist the police.

Recent Examples on the Web

As his wealth and influence have increased, so has his detachment from reality. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Oct. 2026

Those complications included nail detachment (also known as onycholysis, which is when the nail separates from the nail bed, per the Cleveland Clinic) which impacted 39% of GLP-1 users and 9% of controls. — Korin Miller, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026

For him, the camera was never an excuse for detachment from human suffering. — Simon Ellery, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Colby hands out clichés with the stoic detachment of a Midwestern corn farmer discussing an incoming frost. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing detachment

• retinal detachment

Rhymes for detachment

• attachment
• catchment
• reattachment

Kids Definition

detachment

noun

de·​tach·​ment di-ˈtach-mənt 

1

: the action or process of detaching : separation

2

a

: the sending out of a body of troops or part of a fleet from the main body

b

: a small military unit with a special task or function

3

a

: a lack of interest in worldly concerns

b

: freedom from the influence of emotions : impartiality