fastening

American

[fas-uh-ning, fah-suh-] / ˈfæs ə nɪŋ, ˈfɑ sə- /

noun

something that fastens, as a lock or clasp.

fastening British

/ ˈfɑːsənɪŋ /

noun

something that fastens, such as a clasp or lock

"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

Etymology

Origin of fastening

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; fasten, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Arciga fastens the headset over his black beanie and enables “Do Not Disturb” on his iPhone, before fastening the phone to his head to record.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

“Incorrect shelf fastening can cause damage to both the bookcase and the contents on display, creating a potential safety risk for yourself and your loved ones,” he says.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2024

Following the outcry in Paris, Sargent repainted the fastening securely in place, but he never showed the painting again and was forced to decamp to London to restore his career.

From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2024

IL-6 delivers its message by fastening to IL-6 receptors within cells, which tells the cells to spread inflammation.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2024

The band of reporters reassembled at the front gate, and I watched the attractive newscasters flipping their hair and fastening microphones to their collars, using the backdrop of the Dakota for their on-air reports.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023