fasten

play

verb fas·ten \ˈfa-s^ən\

Definition of fasten

fastened

;

fastening

play \ˈfas-niŋ, ˈfa-s^ən-iŋ\

transitive verb
1a : to attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailingb : to make fast and securec : to fix firmly or securelyd : to secure against opening
2 : to fix or set steadily fastened her attention on the main problem
3 : to take a firm grip with the dog fastened its teeth in the shoe
4a : to attach (oneself) persistently and usually objectionablyb : to place forcefully : impose fastened the blame on the wrong person
intransitive verb
1 : to become fast or fixed
2a : to take a firm grip or holdb : to focus attention

fastener

play \ˈfas-nər, ˈfa-s^ən-ər\ noun

See fasten defined for English-language learners

See fasten defined for kids

Examples of fasten in a Sentence

fastening clothes on a clothesline
He fastened the dog's leash to a post and went into the store.
two boards fastened together by nails
a decorative clasp that could be used to fasten a cape or cloak
a shoe that fastens with a buckle
This dress fastens in the back.
She twisted her hair into a bun and fastened it with bobby pins.
Make sure the lid is tightly fastened.
The lock was so damaged it wouldn't fasten.
He fastened his hands on my arm and wouldn't let go.

Recent Examples of fasten from the Web

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (CWR) was called and a makeshift nest was fashioned out of a wicker basket lined with some sticks and wood chips then fastened in a nearby tree.

— taylor piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Wicker basket saves the day when heron chicks lose their nest", 26 May 2017
One video broadcast by ABC shows a blindfolded man balanced on a stool in the middle of a room, his arms bound and fastened to the ceiling.

— thomas gibbons-neff and loveday morris, chicagotribune.com, "Iraq investigating elite unit accused of human rights violations in Mosul campaign", 25 May 2017
For instance, the band can be fastened with one hand.

— margaret rhodes, WIRED, "Now on Sale: A Wearable Device That Tracks Your Baby", 7 Aug. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fasten'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fasten

Middle English fastnen, from Old English fæstnian to make fast; akin to Old High German festinōn to make fast, Old English fæst fast

First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of fasten

fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place. fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing. fasten the reins to a post fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding. fixed the stake in the ground attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together. attach the W-2 form here affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing. affix your address label here

FASTEN Defined for English Language Learners

fasten

play

verb

Definition of fasten for English Language Learners

: to attach (something) or join (two things or two parts of something) especially by using a pin, nail, etc.
of parts of something : to become attached or joined
: to put something in a position or location in such a way that it will not move

FASTEN Defined for Kids

fasten

play

verb fas·ten \ˈfa-s^ən\

Definition of fasten for Students

fastened

;

fastening

1 : to attach or join by or as if by pinning, tying, or nailing She fastened the papers together.
2 : to make firm and secure Fasten your seat belt.
3 : to become fixed or joined The dress fastens in the back.