fastening

[ fas-uh-ning, fah-suh- ]

/ ˈfæs ə nɪŋ, ˈfɑ sə- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fastening ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something that fastens, as a lock or clasp.

RELATED WORDS

lock, fastener, clasp, hook

Nearby words

Origin of fastening

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at fasten, -ing¹

fasten

[ fas-uhn, fah-suhn ]

/ ˈfæs ən, ˈfɑ sən /

verb (used with object)

to attach firmly or securely in place; fix securely to something else.

to make secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.

to enclose securely, as a person or an animal (usually followed by in): to fasten a monkey in a cage.

to attach, associate, or connect: to fasten a nickname on someone.

to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently: to fasten one's eyes on a speaker.

verb (used without object)

to become fast, fixed, or firm.

to close firmly or securely; lock: This clasp won't fasten.

to take a firm hold; seize (usually followed by on or upon): to fasten on an idea.

to focus attention; concentrate (usually followed by on or upon): His gaze fastened on the jewels.

Origin of fasten

before 900; Middle English fastenen, Old English fæstnian; cognate with Old Norse fastna to betroth; akin to fast¹

SYNONYMS FOR fasten

1. connect, link, hook, clasp, clinch, rivet, clamp, bind, tie, tether.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fasten ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsre·fas·ten, verb (used with object)well-fas·tened, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fastening

He starts by tying a cable onto the rear axle of the car, fastening the other end to a post.
April Fool’s! Hollywood’s Biggest Pranks|Anna Klassen|April 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They then both set to work trying to discover some way of fastening it by which it would not slip down the rope.
Saint George for England|G. A. Henty
Esther's mother had made herself ready for her walk by fastening a bright red shawl over her head.
Our Little Jewish Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
Moredock obeyed, screening his lanthorn, and then climbing on to the oak chest and drawing in and fastening the hasp.
The Man with a Shadow|George Manville Fenn

As he spoke a sudden gust of wind struck us, and tore the nodding ostrich plume from its fastening on Umbelazi's head-ring.
Child of Storm|H. Rider Haggard
A man could build a tent on them, by fastening them together, and live there.
The River Motor Boat Boys on the Mississippi|Harry Gordon

British Dictionary definitions for fastening

fastening

/ (ˈfɑːsənɪŋ) /

noun

something that fastens, such as a clasp or lock

fasten

/ (ˈfɑːsən) /

verb

to make or become fast or secure

to make or become attached or joined

to close or become closed by fixing firmly in place, locking, etc

(tr; foll by in or up) to enclose or imprison

(tr usually foll by on) to cause (blame, a nickname, etc) to be attached (to); place (on) or impute (to)

(usually foll by on or upon) to direct or be directed in a concentrated way; fixhe fastened his gaze on the girl

(intr usually foll by on) take firm hold (of)

Derived Formsfastener, noun

Word Origin for fasten

Old English fæstnian; related to Old Norse fastna to pledge, Old High German fastinōn to make fast; see fast 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fastening

fasten

Old English fæstnian "make fast, firm," also "ratify, betroth," from Proto-Germanic *fastinojanan (cf. Old Frisian festnia "to make firm, bind fast," Old Saxon fastnon, Old High German fastnion, Old Norse fastna "to pledge, betroth"), from *fastuz (see fast (adj.)). Related: Fastened; fastener; fastening.