detach

verb

de·​tach di-ˈtach How to pronounce detach (audio)
dē-
detached; detaching; detaches

transitive verb

1
: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage
2
detachability noun
detachable adjective
detachably adverb

Examples of detach in a Sentence

Detach the upper part of the form and return it with your payment. During the accident the trailer was detached from the car. The brush detaches from the vacuum cleaner for easy cleaning. It can be difficult to detach yourself from the chaos of the situation. She has been trying to detach herself from an abusive relationship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Venom detaches from Eddie to save him and ensnares the xenophages with his gooey body. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024 The helicopter's main rotor detached from the collision and the aircraft plummeted to the ground. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2024 Some medications, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs like Aleve (naproxen), can cause a toenail to detach or fall off after exposure to sunlight. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 21 Oct. 2024 Studies show that travel to distant lands detaches you from the life that defines you, expands your outlook and gives you the perspective of an outside observer that daily life masks. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detach 

Word History

Etymology

French détacher, from Old French destachier, from des- de- + -tachier (as in atachier to attach)

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detach was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near detach

Cite this Entry

“Detach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detach. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

detach

verb
de·​tach di-ˈtach How to pronounce detach (audio)
: to separate especially from a larger mass and usually without violence or damage
detachable adjective
detachably adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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