attachment

American  

[uh-tach-muhnt] / əˈtætʃ mənt /

noun

1. an act of attaching or the state of being attached.

2. a feeling that binds one to a person, thing, cause, ideal, or the like; devotion; regard.

   a fond attachment to his cousin; a profound attachment to the cause of peace.

   Synonyms:

   devotedness, love

3. Psychology.

   1. an emotional bond between an infant or toddler and primary caregiver, a strong bond being vital for the child’s normal behavioral and social development.

   2. an enduring emotional bond that develops between one adult and another in an intimate relationship.

      romantic attachment.

4. something that attaches; a fastening or tie.

   the attachments of a harness; the attachments of a pair of skis.

   Synonyms:

   connection, junction

5. an additional or supplementary device.

   attachments for an electric drill.

6. Law. seizure of property or person by legal authority, especially seizure of a defendant's property to prevent its dissipation before trial or to acquire jurisdiction over it.

7. something attached, as a document added to a letter.

8. Digital Technology. a computer or electronic file sent with an email.

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attachment British  

/ əˈtætʃmənt /

noun

1. a means of securing; a fastening

2. (often foll by to) affection or regard (for); devotion (to)

   attachment to a person or to a cause

3. an object to be attached, esp a supplementary part

   an attachment for an electric drill

4. the act of attaching or the state of being attached

5. 1. the arrest of a person for disobedience to a court order

   2. the lawful seizure of property and placing of it under control of a court

   3. a writ authorizing such arrest or seizure

6. law the binding of a debt in the hands of a garnishee until its disposition has been decided by the court

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Related Words

See addition.

Other Word Forms

• nonattachment noun
• overattachment noun
• preattachment noun
• reattachment noun
• self-attachment noun
• superattachment noun

Etymology

Origin of attachment

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English attachement “detention, distraint, seizure,” from Anglo-French; attach, -ment

Explanation

Attachment is a sticky word: an email attachment fastens a file to an email, while someone who has an attachment to email loves email. Attachment brings things together. Attachment is a word that's equal parts mechanical and emotional. Many gadgets — such as cameras and tractors — have attachments that allow them to get more done, like a tractor attachment for plowing snow. People have attachments to bands, political movements, sports teams, hobbies, and each other. It's important for babies to develop attachments to their parents — this means they're bonding with their parents. Attachment is a lot like duct tape — it fastens people and things together.

Example Sentences

Farr acknowledges that her children’s deep attachment to the family home has made it difficult to let go of the property.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Many of the fossils display unusual combinations of features, such as tentacles, stalks, attachment discs, and feeding structures that could be turned inside out.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

McCarthy readily confesses he’s “very much a loner,” quiet and pensive — and yet he craves attachment.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

In between, she violates her professional dictum of avoiding emotional attachment by falling for Alfredo, who offers true love.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

And it seemed to me that there was something unmanly about my attachment to literature.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• affinity
• devotion
• friendship
• loyalty