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 Panda diplomacy is a small positive despite the economically detached from reality campaign rhetoric. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile, the Starship spacecraft continued to fly for about an hour after detaching from Super Heavy, propelling itself using its six engines, before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. Marta Musso, WIRED, 14 Oct. 2024 The flotation devices either failed to inflate, were too wedged by other gear to fully inflate or were detached from the men, CBS News reported, citing the report. Brian Brant, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024 To resume a humble life free of expectations and detached from his ties to a criminal? Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detach 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detach.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 31 Oct. 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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