fasten
Americanverb (used with object)
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to attach firmly or securely in place; fix securely to something else.
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to make secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.
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to enclose securely, as a person or an animal (usually followed byin ).
to fasten a monkey in a cage.
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to attach, associate, or connect.
to fasten a nickname on someone.
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to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently.
to fasten one's eyes on a speaker.
verb (used without object)
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to become fast, fixed, or firm.
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to close firmly or securely; lock.
This clasp won't fasten.
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to take a firm hold; seize (usually followed by on orupon ).
to fasten on an idea.
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to focus attention; concentrate (usually followed by on orupon ).
His gaze fastened on the jewels.
verb
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to make or become fast or secure
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to make or become attached or joined
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to close or become closed by fixing firmly in place, locking, etc
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(tr; foll by in or up) to enclose or imprison
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to cause (blame, a nickname, etc) to be attached (to); place (on) or impute (to)
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to direct or be directed in a concentrated way; fix
he fastened his gaze on the girl
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take firm hold (of)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has fastenedperfect 3rd person singular
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have fastenedperfect
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has been fasteningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am fasteningprogressive 1st person singular
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is fasteningprogressive 3rd person singular
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are fasteningprogressive
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fasteningparticiple
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fastenssingular 3rd person
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have been fasteningperfect progressive
Past
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had fastenedperfect
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were fasteningprogressive plural
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was fasteningprogressive singular
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fastenedsimple
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fastenedparticiple
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had been fasteningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fasten
before 900; Middle English fastenen, Old English fæstnian; cognate with Old Norse fastna to betroth; akin to fast 1
Explanation
When you fasten something, you close or attach it. You might fasten your coat, closing each snap, when the sun goes down and the air gets chilly. People fasten all kinds of things: we all fasten our seat belts when we board an airplane and fasten our bathrobes by tying them in the front. Your ski goggles might fasten onto your helmet, just as your boots fasten onto your skis. You can also say that you fasten your hair with a barrette or fasten a charm bracelet around your wrist. The Old English root is fæstnian, "make fast or firm."
Vocabulary lists containing fasten
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fasten your seatbelts tight, we're going back to the 90s.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2023
Fasten the connector cables toward the inside of the car first.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 9, 2021
"Fasten items in a way that they remain fastened to your car. Think about highway driving at 65 mph and ask yourself if the decoration would stay in place," Reina told Fox News.
From Fox News • Dec. 9, 2021
Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy “Nine.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2021
"Well, love, we're all leaving London now. Fasten your seat belt, why don't you? I think the nice fellow next to you wants to help."
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
