fastener

American  

[fas-uh-ner, fah-suh-] / ˈfæs ə nər, ˈfɑ sə- /

noun

1. any of various devices for fastening. fastening.

2. any of various devices, as a snap or hook and eye, for holding together two objects or parts sometimes required to be separate, as two edges or flaps of a piece of clothing.

3. a worker who fastens things together.

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Other Word Forms

• unfastener noun

Etymology

Origin of fastener

First recorded in 1620–30; fasten + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The titular “hare with the amber eyes” in Edmund de Waal’s memoir is a netsuke, a tiny Japanese carving intended as a fastener for use with a kimono.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Fastenal, the fastener maker, reported third-quarter earnings of 29 cents a share, missing analysts’ estimates of 30 cents, as revenue of $2.13 billion match expectations.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

The British Museum also announced some "significant" new finds made since 2022, including a late Bronze Age dress fastener.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2024

For example, it could be a matter of tightening the existing fasteners better, or it might require a different type of fastener.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2024

So when she saw Trotter’s purse with its no-good fastener lying wide open on the bed, inviting her, practically demanding her to look in, she did so.

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson

Related Words

• latch
• screw