# detachment

/diˈtætʃmənt/ (US) · /dɪtˈætʃmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/detachment
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. emotional distance

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- He watched the argument with a sense of detachment, as if he were not involved at all.
- The surgeon maintained a professional detachment during the procedure, focusing entirely on the technical requirements rather than the patient's distress.

### 2. fairness and objectivity

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

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

- A judge must look at the evidence with complete detachment.
- 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. military unit

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- A small detachment of soldiers was sent to guard the bridge.
- The general ordered a detachment of engineers to clear the road before the main column of tanks arrived at the border.

### 4. physical separation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act of separating one thing from another.

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

- The detachment of the booster rocket happened exactly three minutes after launch.
- The patient suffered a partial detachment of the retina, requiring immediate laser surgery to prevent permanent vision loss.

## Examples

- He showed great detachment during the crisis.
- Her professional detachment allowed her to make fair decisions without letting personal feelings interfere.
- The philosopher argued that true detachment is not indifference, but a clear-eyed acceptance of reality without the burden of emotional attachment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.