fasten

verb

fas·​ten ˈfa-sᵊn How to pronounce fasten (audio)
fastened; fastening ˈfas-niŋ How to pronounce fasten (audio)
ˈfa-sᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailing
b
: to make fast and secure
c
: to fix firmly or securely
d
: 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
4
a
: to attach (oneself) persistently and usually objectionably
b
: to place forcefully : impose
fastened the blame on the wrong person

intransitive verb

1
: to become fast or fixed
2
a
: to take a firm grip or hold
b
: to focus attention
fastener
ˈfas-nər How to pronounce fasten (audio)
ˈfa-sᵊn-ər
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Its magnetic closure is one of the easiest for anyone with limited mobility and dexterity to fasten, and its straps adjust in the front (no need to paw around on your back). Malia Griggs, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2024 Passengers–and shareholders like us–may want to fasten their seat belts because, despite some early wins, there is possibly worse turbulence on the horizon and far tougher challenges still ahead. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024 Bags also fasten to the wrist with a leather strap. Colleen Barry, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 On January 30, Boeing indicated that the bolts required to fasten the fuselage panel of an Alaskan Airlines aircraft were missing when the plane left Boeing’s facility. Steve Banker, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 One possible solution lies in the design of this fly-front Prada shirt, which includes a detachable collar fastened to two slim scarves. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2024 It’s equipped with mounting hardware and tie-down plates to fasten it to a truck bed or roof rack. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024 Small put him inside a patrol car and fastened his seatbelt. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2024 Michael Kors was perhaps the highest profile designer to show this look yet, sending models down the runway in both pants and skirts fastened with two belts. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fasten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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 the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fasten was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fasten

Cite this Entry

“Fasten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fasten. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fasten

verb
fas·​ten ˈfas-ᵊn How to pronounce fasten (audio)
fastened; fastening ˈfas-niŋ How to pronounce fasten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
: to attach or join by or as if by pinning, tying, or nailing
fasten clothes on a line
2
: to make fast : fix securely
fasten a door
3
: to fix or set steadily
fastened their eyes on the distant ship
4
: to become fixed or joined
the shoes fasten with a buckle
fastener
ˈfas-nər How to pronounce fasten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fasten

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