attachment

UK: /əˈtætʃmənt/ US: /əˈtætʃmənt/ ,(ə tach′mənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

at•tach•ment /əˈtætʃmənt/   n. 

1. [uncountable] the act of attaching or the state of being attached.
2. a feeling that binds one to a cause;
   strong belief in something;
   devotion:
   [uncountable] strong attachment to religion.
3. a feeling of fondness or devotion to someone or something:
   [countable] began to feel an attachment to her new car.
4. [countable] something that attaches to something else;
   something fastened or tied on.
5. Law [uncountable] the act of seizing property by legal authority.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

at•tach•ment  (ə tach′mənt), n. 

1. an act of attaching or the state of being attached.
2. a feeling that binds one to a person, thing, cause, ideal, or the like;
   devotion;
   regard:
   a fond attachment to his cousin; a profound attachment to the cause of peace.
3. something that attaches;
   a fastening or tie:
   the attachments of a harness; the attachments of a pair of skis.
4. an additional or supplementary device:
   attachments for an electric drill.
5. Law seizure of property or person by legal authority, esp. seizure of a defendant's property to prevent its dissipation before trial or to acquire jurisdiction over it.
6. something attached, as a document added to a letter.

• Anglo-French. See attach, -ment
• late Middle English attachement seizure 1400–50

Synonyms

• 2. love, devotedness.
• 3. junction, connection.
• 4. See addition. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

attachment / əˈtætʃmənt/ noun

1. a means of securing; a fastening
2. (often followed by to) affection or regard (for); devotion (to)
3. an object to be attached, esp a supplementary part: an attachment for an electric drill
4. the act of attaching or the state of being attached
5. the lawful seizure of property and placing of it under control of a court
6. a writ authorizing such arrest or seizure