fasten

verb

Save Word

fas·ten | \ ˈfa-sᵊn

fastened; fastening\ ˈfas-niŋ

, 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

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for fasten

Synonyms

Antonyms

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 His workers have traded in hammers and nails for pneumatic tools that fasten together steel panels. — Alana Semuels, Time, 2 June 2021 Now the 26-year-old is unable to fasten his own belt or tie his shoes, his lawyer said. — Washington Post, 26 May 2021 Somehow, this very clever character is fretting about zero-g and yet also doesn’t fasten his seat belt. — Washington Post, 23 May 2021 Small Velcro strips on the back fasten the mask into place. — Claire Tighe, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2021 Securely fasten your structural system (index card) around the propulsion system (film canister) and avoid adding anything else to your rocket. — Renee Morad, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2017 Other requirements include being able to climb seven flights of stairs -- the height of the launch tower -- in under 90 seconds, being able to fasten or unfasten a seat harness in under 15 seconds, and hear and understand instructions in English. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 5 May 2021 Passengers must also be able to fasten and unfasten their seat harness in less than 15 seconds, spend up to an hour and a half strapped into the capsule with the hatch closed, and withstand up to 5.5G in force during descent. — Jackie Wattles, CNN, 5 May 2021 The Revolution are hoping to fashion a fasten-your-seatbelt start to their 26th season. — BostonGlobe.com, 16 Apr. 2021

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.