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.

Soon, the railings of the bridge were so crammed that new locks could only be attached by fastening them to the existing ones.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 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

Sound Transit has mentioned possibly leaving two lanes of Westlake open, by making narrow cuts and fastening temporary platforms to drive on.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2023

It was three days before Christmas, and Elizabeth Widders was perched in her upstairs bathroom, fastening red and green bows in the hair of her 4-year-old daughter, Liviah.

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2022

Quentin was leaning against the table, fastening her kimono.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner

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