fastener

UK: /ˈfɑːsnə^r/ US: (fas′ə nər, fä′sə-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fas•ten•er  (fas′ə nər, fä′sə-), n. 

1. any of various devices for 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.

• fasten + -er¹ 1620–30

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

fas•ten /ˈfæsən/   v. 

1. to attach firmly or securely in place or to something else;
   connect:
   [~ + object] to fasten a light switch securely to the wall.
2. to (cause to) be secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.: [~ + object]
   Fasten the window.
   [no object]
   This clasp won't fasten.
3. to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently;
   focus attention: [~ + object]
   She fastened her eyes on him during the entire performance.
   [~ + on]
   His gaze fastened on the jewels.

fas•ten•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fas•ten  (fas′ən, fä′sən), v.t. 

1. to attach firmly or securely in place;
   fix securely to something else.
2. to make secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.
3. to enclose securely, as a person or an animal (usually fol. by in):
   to fasten a monkey in a cage.
4. to attach, associate, or connect:
   to fasten a nickname on someone.
5. to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently:
   to fasten one's eyes on a speaker.

v.i. 

6. to become fast, fixed, or firm.
7. to close firmly or securely;
   lock:
   This clasp won't fasten.
8. to take a firm hold;
   seize (usually fol. by on or upon):
   to fasten on an idea.
9. to focus attention;
   concentrate (usually fol. by on or upon):
   His gaze fastened on the jewels.

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

Synonyms

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