English Reference
noun

detachment

n.
US /diˈtætʃmənt/ UK /dɪtˈætʃmənt/ de·tach·ment UK spelling detachment's, detachment's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a state of being calm and not letting your feelings or other people's problems affect you.

    a state of being objective or emotionally distant; the quality of not being personally involved in something.

    Simple

    He watched the argument with a sense of detachment, as if he were not involved at all.

    In context

    The surgeon maintained a professional detachment during the procedure, focusing entirely on the technical requirements rather than the patient's distress.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Academic

    the ability to judge something fairly because you are not influenced by your own feelings.

    freedom from bias or prejudice; the capacity to observe or evaluate a situation with clinical impartiality.

    Simple

    A judge must look at the evidence with complete detachment.

    In context

    The historian approached the controversial events of the previous decade with a scholarly detachment that earned praise from both sides of the political spectrum.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Military

    a small group of soldiers or ships sent away from the main group for a special task.

    a small unit of troops or ships separated from a larger body for a specific mission or duty.

    Simple

    A small detachment of soldiers was sent to guard the bridge.

    In context

    The general ordered a detachment of engineers to clear the road before the main column of tanks arrived at the border.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical

    the act of separating one thing from another.

    the process or act of disconnecting or separating a part from a whole.

    Simple

    The detachment of the booster rocket happened exactly three minutes after launch.

    In context

    The patient suffered a partial detachment of the retina, requiring immediate laser surgery to prevent permanent vision loss.

    separationdisconnectionseverance

This detachment isolates the space from outside vibrations or noise.

Phys.org· 2 Sept 2026

From French détachement. By surface analysis, detach + -ment.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin French détachement
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated