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fixation

noun
fix·​a·​tion | \ fik-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce fixation (audio) \

Definition of fixation

: the act, process, or result of fixing, fixating, or becoming fixated: such as
a : a persistent concentration of libidinal energies upon objects characteristic of psychosexual stages of development preceding the genital stage
b : stereotyped behavior (as in response to frustration)
c : an obsessive or unhealthy preoccupation or attachment
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fixation

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Examples of fixation in a Sentence

their weight is an unfortunate fixation for many teenagers

Recent Examples on the Web

 Like so many women, my childhood chubbiness turned me into a woman with a fixation on dieting. — NBC News, "Weight Watchers: Why the diet I hated as a teenager became the lifestyle I love as an adult," 27 Aug. 2019 Insider accounts of the Trump White House have spoken of the rages, obsessions, fixations and biases that spill out of the president behind closed doors. — Eugene Robinson, The Mercury News, "Robinson: The unhinged presidency," 25 Aug. 2019 Elizaveta Porodina The Italian house that helped establish the intersection of fashion and pop is never not in the air—but thanks to a new FX show and a fresh fixation on maximalist design, Versace is ever more at the center of things. — Molly Young, GQ, "The Excessive Vision of Donatella Versace," 20 Mar. 2018 Bruce’s music becomes his fixation, his obsession and identity, his runaway American dream. — Owen Gleiberman, chicagotribune.com, "‘Blinded by the Light’ review: Springsteen helps propel an ’80s teen to his dreams," 14 Aug. 2019 After police confirmed the death of the two adults, Zixin's fate became a nationwide fixation. — Steven Jiang, CNN, "Missing 9-year-old girl, whose disappearance gripped China, found dead," 15 July 2019 In an interview with the Miami Herald the lead detective recounted phone records, flight logs and instructions for delivering flowers to one of Mr Epstein’s young fixations—alongside her high-school report card. — The Economist, "Was Jeffrey Epstein’s plea deal fishy?," 13 July 2019 Jimmie’s fixation with gaining entry into his childhood home comes to signify his desire to anchor himself, to find stability in a city that has destabilized him, his family, and black San Franciscans as a whole. — Collier Meyerson, WIRED, "The Last Black Man Searches for ‘Authenticity’ but There Is None," 6 June 2019 But rather than an outlet for her anxiety, her fixation on fitness became an unhealthy obsession, resembling the symptoms of modern eating disorders. — National Geographic, "Life for this Bavarian princess was no fairy tale," 14 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fixation.' 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 fixation

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for fixation

Middle English fixacioun "(in alchemy) reduction of a volatile substance to a form not alterable by fire or another agent of change," borrowed from Medieval Latin fÄ«xātiƍn-, fÄ«xātiƍ, from fÄ«xāre "to so reduce a volatile substance" (verbal derivative of Latin fÄ«xus "firmly established, unchangeable") + Latin -tiƍn-, -tiƍ, suffix of action nouns; in psychological senses after German Fixation or Fixierung — more at fix entry 1

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More Definitions for fixation

fixation

noun
fix·​a·​tion | \ fik-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce fixation (audio) \

Medical Definition of fixation

1 : the act, process, or result of fixing, fixating, or becoming fixated: as
a : the act or an instance of focusing the eyes upon an object
b : a persistent concentration of libidinal energies upon objects characteristic of psychosexual stages of development preceding the genital stage
c : stereotyped behavior (as in response to frustration)
d : an obsessive or unhealthy preoccupation or attachment
2 : the immobilization of the parts of a fractured bone especially by the use of various metal attachments

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More from Merriam-Webster on fixation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with fixation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fixation

Spanish Central: Translation of fixation

Nglish: Translation of fixation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fixation for Arabic Speakers

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