detachment

American  

[dih-tach-muhnt] / dɪˈtætʃ mənt /

noun

1. the act of detaching.

2. the condition of being detached. detached.

3. aloofness, as from worldly affairs or from the concerns of others.

   Synonyms:

   unconcern, indifference, coolness

4. freedom from prejudice or partiality.

5. the act of sending out a detached detached force of troops or naval ships.

6. the body of troops or ships so detached. detached.

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detachment British  

/ dɪˈtætʃmənt /

noun

1. indifference to other people or to one's surroundings; aloofness

2. freedom from self-interest or bias; disinterest

3. the act of disengaging or separating something

4. the condition of being disengaged or separated; disconnection

5. military

   1. the separation of a small unit from its main body, esp of ships or troops

   2. the unit so detached

6. a branch office of a police force

7. logic the rule whereby the consequent of a true conditional statement, given the truth of its antecedent, may be asserted on its own See also modus ponens

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Other Word Forms

• nondetachment noun
• predetachment noun

Etymology

Origin of detachment

From the French word détachement, dating back to 1660–70. See detach, -ment

Example Sentences

Severe myopia increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment later in life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Then it could be time for detachment and noncontact.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

“Do they really know what degradation looks like? Have they smelled what a landfill smells like? There’s such a detachment between intent and actuality,” she says.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2026

"You certainly shouldn't ignore the symptoms of retinal detachment, because it can lead to loss of vision, and if it's left too late, it may be difficult to recover that vision," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

While the story was being told, they heard it without any of the reserve or detachment that the kindest of civilized humans retains as he reads his newspaper.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• indifference
• neutrality
• objectivity
• remoteness