detachment
dih-TACH-muhnt
Detachment (noun) means a lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance. Example: “She handled the crisis with remarkable detachment.”
noun
1
A lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance.
"She handled the crisis with remarkable detachment."
"He watched the argument with a detachment that surprised his friends."
"Doctors sometimes need a certain detachment so they can make clear decisions."
2
A group of soldiers or vehicles sent away from the main military force for a specific task.
"A small detachment was sent ahead to scout the area."
"The general ordered a detachment of engineers to repair the bridge."
"A detachment of ten trucks was sent to deliver supplies to the camp."
How to use detachment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither emotional distance from a situation, or a small group split off from a larger military unit.
Common pairings
emotional detachment
a military detachment
with detachment
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like detachment.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- detachments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She handled the crisis with remarkable _____.
Etymology
From French detachement, from detacher, "to detach".
Related words
Rhymes for detachment
See all rhymes for detachment →Frequently asked questions
What does “detachment” mean?
The word “detachment” means a lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance. In plain terms, either emotional distance from a situation, or a small group split off from a larger military unit.
How do you pronounce “detachment”?
“Detachment” is pronounced dih-TACH-muhnt (/dɪˈtæt͡ʃmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “detachment” in a sentence?
Here is “detachment” used in a sentence: “She handled the crisis with remarkable detachment.”
What part of speech is “detachment”?
“Detachment” is a noun.
Where does the word “detachment” come from?
The word “detachment” comes from French. From French detachement, from detacher, "to detach".
Is “detachment” a common word?
“Detachment” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “detachment” have?
“Detachment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lack of emotional involvement; an attitude of calm distance.
