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.

---

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 gold fastener will now be independently valued and Mr Needham will split the finder's fee with the landowner.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 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

“Everything has more than one use in this world,” she always says about even the smallest fastener or elastic band.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Related Words

• latch
• screw