fixation

American  

[fik-sey-shuhn] / fɪkˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of fixing or the state of being fixed.

2. Chemistry.

   1. reduction from a volatile or fluid to a stable or solid form.

   2. the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a useful compound, as a nitrate fertilizer.

3. Photography. the process of rendering an image permanent by removal of light-sensitive silver halides.

4. Psychoanalysis. a partial arrest of emotional and instinctual development at an early point in life, due to a severe traumatic experience or an overwhelming gratification.

5. a preoccupation with one subject, issue, etc.; obsession.

   All her life she had a fixation on stories of violent death.

---

fixation British  

/ fɪkˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of fixing or the state of being fixed

2. a preoccupation or obsession

3. psychol

   1. the act of fixating

   2. (in psychoanalytical schools) a strong attachment of a person to another person or an object in early life

4. chem

   1. the conversion of nitrogen in the air into a compound, esp a fertilizer

   2. the conversion of a free element into one of its compounds

5. the reduction of a substance from a volatile or fluid form to a nonvolatile or solid form

---

Other Word Forms

• nonfixation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of fixation

1350–1400; Middle English fixacion < Medieval Latin fixātiōn- (stem of fixātiō ) a reduction to a fixed state. See fix, -ation

Explanation

Fixation is when something is stuck firmly to another surface — or when you mind is stuck obsessively on one person, thing, or idea. Your parents' fixation on healthy foods means fruit for dessert every single night. The Latin root of fixation means "to fasten or fix," and fixation is used in this literal way in technical contexts. A science experiment might involve the fixation of one chemical to another, for example. Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is responsible for the "obsessive interest" meaning, emphasizing childhood fixations that carry into adulthood. You might see your attachment to your mobile phone as perfectly normal, while your parents consider it an unhealthy fixation.

Example Sentences

As singles from Shakira’s “Oral Fixation, Vol. 2” LP, “Don’t Bother” was easily overshadowed 20 years ago by the chart-topping juggernaut that was “Hips Don’t Lie.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

Bioscientist Dr. Ted Cocking, from the Centre for Crop Nitrogen Fixation in the UK, was the first to unlock the potential of this unique bacterium - Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, or Gd for short.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2018

I don’t read magazines like Bike Monkey or blogs like Bicycle Fixation.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2013

A Fixation on Progressive’s Snapshot Offering Clifford Galant of Nomura asks the meeting’s latest question about Progressive’s “Snapshot” product, which tracks how drivers behave to help determine rates.

From New York Times • May 4, 2013

Fixation of vision appears to be an essential objective condition for many observers.

From Visual Illusions Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications by Luckiesh, Matthew

Related Words

• fascination
• infatuation
• preoccupation