fasten

fas·ten | \ ˈfa-sᵊn

How to pronounce fasten (audio)

\

fastened; fastening\ ˈfas-niŋ

How to pronounce fastening (audio)

, ˈfa-sᵊn-iŋ \

Definition of fasten

transitive verb

1a : 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

4a : 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

2a : to take a firm grip or hold

b : to focus attention

Other Words from fasten Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about fasten

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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 Most new mirrors come with mounting hardware, but selecting the proper installation hardware (the screws, bolts, and anchors that fasten into the wall) requires careful thought. — Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, "Everything You Need to Know to Properly (and Safely) Hang a Heavy Mirror," 15 June 2020 Find another one of those tiny little screws and fasten your GPU to the case. — Jess Grey, Wired, "Want a Better PC? Try Building Your Own," 7 June 2020 Use the screws that come with the hinge to fasten the front leaf of each hinge to its hinge block. — Richard Romanski, Popular Mechanics, "It's Time To Make a Stand-Up Desk," 15 Feb. 2020 Those poles were threaded through plastic tubing and fastened with a ton of bias tape. — Andrea Reeves, Cincinnati.com, "You have to see the apocalypse outfit this woman wore to the grocery store," 30 Apr. 2020 Sleck said his family is now making care packages filled with candy — and each one is fastened with an extension strap. — Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A Lisbon volunteer firefighter has made over 800 extension straps for front-line workers to wear masks in comfort," 29 Apr. 2020 Cut ¼ pound cheese in strips; place in buns; wrap a slice of bacon around each bun, fasten securely with a toothpick. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, "Recipes and Tips from Our 1943 Edition of New Cook Book That Are Totally Relevant Today," 28 Apr. 2020 Next, wrap a large square of white cotton material such as a cut-up old white shirt or pillowcase) on top of the silk and fasten with rubber band. — Los Angeles Times, "How to dye Easter eggs with stuff you already have in your pantry or fridge," 10 Apr. 2020 At first, a nursing mother might have to work to ensure that her baby correctly latches, or fastens onto her breast, in order to eat. — Melinda Wenner Moyer, New York Times, "Newborn Baby Care Basics: What to Know When You Leave the Hospital," 17 Apr. 2020

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.

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Dictionary Entries near fasten

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Last Updated

19 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Fasten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fasten. Accessed 11 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for fasten

fasten

verb

English Language Learners Definition of fasten

: 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

See the full definition for fasten in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fasten

fas·ten | \ ˈfa-sᵊn

\

fastened; fastening

Kids Definition of fasten

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.

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