adhesion

American  

[ad-hee-zhuhn] / ædˈhi ʒən /

noun

adhesions plural

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

Derived Forms

• nonadhesion
  noun
• adhesional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• adhesions
  plural

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

Explanation

Dab some Krazy Glue onto a surface and you'll see how powerful its properties of adhesion, or stickiness, are. Similarly, someone who sticks to a cause no matter what has a really strong adhesion or commitment to that cause. Adhesion comes from the Latin adhaesionem meaning "a sticking to," a translation that perfectly captures that adhesive quality. Objects can be characterized by their adhesion — like Scotch tape or Velcro. Similarly, when you see a group of protesters camped outside the Capital fighting for a cause, it's their adhesion (or dedication) that keeps them stuck there rain or shine. In medicine, adhesion is used to describe abnormal bands of scar tissue that might form after a surgery.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adhesion adhesions

It has made nine recommendations, including improving the safety inside passenger carriages, improving the design and safety of sanding systems, improving wheel-rail adhesion conditions and driver training.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

After addressing structural problems such as loss of adhesion and exfoliated paint, the restorers then used reversible techniques -- including watercolour paint -- to "stitch" everything back together, she said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

Plants grown in light had much stronger adhesion between these layers than those grown in darkness.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 13, 2026

While stronger adhesion makes the plant more structurally stable, it also reduces its ability to grow.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 13, 2026

Even through the French school, with the strict adhesion to the ancient rule of the unities, seems to have descended the partiality for what may be called the chastely classical subjects.

From The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 A Monthly Eclectic Magazine by Rameur, E.

Later scans revealed there was still endometriosis with adhesions on her bowels.

From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026

What's most exciting is our paper highlights the intriguing possibility that repurposing currently available cancer drugs that stabilize focal adhesions might represent a way to restore mechanical integrity at synapses.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 27, 2024

The autopsy report said the obstruction was “in the form of a strangulated small bowel caused by adhesions that developed after bariatric surgery years ago.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2023

There was also a risk of an intestinal blockage, if adhesions, or scar tissue, weren’t removed, according to the doctors.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 16, 2023

Peewee had another operation on his stomach for something called adhesions, but he was still scheduled to leave with me.

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers