adhesion

American  

[ad-hee-zhuhn] / ædˈhi ʒən /

noun

1. the act or state of adhering; state of being adhered or united.

   the adhesion of parts united by growth.

2. steady or devoted attachment, support, etc.; adherence.

3. assent; concurrence.

4. Physics. the molecular force of attraction in the area of contact between unlike bodies that acts to hold them together.

5. Pathology.

   1. the abnormal union of adjacent tissues.

   2. the tissue involved.

6. Botany. the union of normally separate parts.

7. Railroads.

   1. the frictional resistance of rails to the tendency of driving wheels to slip.

   2. factor of adhesion.

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adhesion British  

/ ədˈhiːʒən /

noun

1. the quality or condition of sticking together or holding fast

2. ability to make firm contact without skidding or slipping

3. attachment or fidelity, as to a political party, cause, etc

4. an attraction or repulsion between the molecules of unlike substances in contact: distinguished from cohesion

5. pathol abnormal union of structures or parts

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adhesion Scientific  

/ ăd-hē′zhən /

1. The force of attraction that causes two different substances to join. Adhesion causes water to spread out over glass.

2. Compare cohesion

3. A fibrous band of abnormal tissue that binds together tissues that are normally separate. Adhesions form during the healing of some wounds, usually as a result of inflammation.

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adhesion Cultural  

1. The molecular (see molecule) attraction that holds the surfaces of two dissimilar substances together. (Compare cohesion.)

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Usage

Adhesion is the preferred term when talking about sticking or holding fast in a physical sense. Adherence is preferred when talking about attachment to a political party, cause, etc

Other Word Forms

• adhesional adjective
• nonadhesion noun

Etymology

Origin of adhesion

1615–25; < Medieval Latin adhēsiōn- for Latin adhaesiōn- (stem of adhaesiō ) a clinging, equivalent to adhaes ( us ), past participle of adhaerēre to adhere + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

It said low adhesion would be an area of ongoing investigation.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2024

He says: “You have a steel wheel on a steel rail and anything that causes low adhesion can be a big problem.”

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2024

Professor Hsia added: "The shape-memory polymer adhesives we designed overcome both the adhesion paradox and the switchability conflict, providing guidelines for developing stronger and more switchable adhesives adaptable to rough surfaces."

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2024

The sweet spot was between 0.5 mm and 3 mm in radius, pushing the limits of adhesion while retaining structural integrity.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2024

By this means the weight of wood and water, instead of abstracting from the effective power of the engine, contributes to its adhesion and consequent ability to climb the mountain.

From Illustrated Catalogue of Locomotives Baldwin Locomotive Works by Baird, Matthew