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.
Detachable zones can be attached and detached at will, usually to many possible sections of the tray. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 Corn is most flavorful at the moment of harvest so drop it into boiling water as soon as it’s detached from the plant and shucked. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 July 2025 Cellphones are not allowed because participants are encouraged to detach from screens and be present, Lacour said, so counselors are taught to listen to the PA speaker systems. Nbc News, NBC news, 10 July 2025 The dollar has slumped more than 10% this year, posting its worst decline in the first six months of a year since 1973, back when President Nixon shocked the world by detaching the dollar's value from gold. Rafael Nam, NPR, 7 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detach. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on detach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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