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detachment

noun
de·​tach·​ment | \ di-ˈtach-mÉ™nt How to pronounce detachment (audio) , dÄ“-\

Definition of detachment

1 : the action or process of detaching : separation
2a : the dispatch of a body of troops or part of a fleet from the main body for a special mission or service
b : the part so dispatched
c : a permanently organized separate unit usually smaller than a platoon and of special composition
3a : indifference to worldly concerns : aloofness
b : freedom from bias or prejudice
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Examples of detachment in a Sentence

I wish the article had approached the issue with a bit more detachment. The form is perforated to make detachment of the bottom section easier. A detachment of soldiers was called to assist the police.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Rutherford explains that the parent experiencing the most detachment might want more contact with the child. — Kathryn Streeter, USA TODAY, "Empty nesters advised to plan for life after kids leave home," 18 Aug. 2019 Over the last week, the six aircraft detachment has been very busy, flying a number of training missions to the Norwegian Sea, the Baltic Sea, Estonia, the Mediterranean Sea and Greece. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "U.S. Bombers Are Flying Over Europe, Baiting the Russian Bear," 21 Mar. 2019 It has been linked to alien conspiracy theories since the testing of a spy plane in 1955 in which the Central Intelligence Agency first shed light on the military detachment. — Fox News, "'Storm Area 51' social media movement is 'getting somewhat out of hand,' says UFO expert," 17 July 2019 However, the process was delayed and in April, Procassini and six other World War II veterans met with Marine Corps General Robert Neller at the Marine Corps League detachment in Dearborn. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "98-year-old World War II vet to receive Purple Heart in Dearborn," 12 July 2019 The Pentagon released its definitive report on the mission in Niger and the many shortcomings that led to an ambush of the Green Beret detachment by militants. — Ben Kesling, WSJ, "Top Military Brass Will Avoid Discipline Over Flawed 2017 Niger Mission," 6 June 2019 Tunde recounts his troubled upbringing with a hypnotic mix of tenderness and analytic detachment. — Julian Lucas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 22 July 2019 The Stillwater City Council gave its OK to the annexation-detachment plan at a council meeting Tuesday night. — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, "Stillwater and Oak Park Heights plan property exchange," 6 July 2019 His vibratoless, nasal-toned, sotto voce croon floated with seeming detachment above his guitar. — Matt Schudel, Washington Post, "João Gilberto, a quiet and leading voice of Brazil’s bossa nova music, dies at 88," 6 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detachment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of detachment

1669, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for detachment

detachment

noun
How to pronounce detachment (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of detachment

: lack of emotion or of personal interest
: the act or process of separating something from a larger thing
: a condition in which something has become separated from something else

See the full definition for detachment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

detachment

noun
de·​tach·​ment | \ di-ˈtach-mÉ™nt How to pronounce detachment (audio) \

Kids Definition of detachment

1 : separation sense 1
2 : the sending out of a body of troops or ships on a special duty
3 : a small unit of troops or ships sent out for a special duty
4 : lack of interest in worldly concerns He maintained an air of cool detachment.
5 : freedom from the favoring of one side over another He judged the dispute with detachment.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detachment

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with detachment

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for detachment

Spanish Central: Translation of detachment

Nglish: Translation of detachment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of detachment for Arabic Speakers

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