WordGarden.ioadhesion
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ədhˈiːʒən/
US
- /ædˈhiʒən/
Meanings
Noun
the sticking together of surfaces or substances
support for or commitment to a person, cause, rule, or idea
a band of scar tissue that binds tissues or organs together
Beyond the definition
Think of honey on your fingers—it adheres, meaning it sticks firmly! Adhesion describes the tendency of different materials or surfaces to cling together. It's not just about glue; water adheres to glass, dust adheres to clothes, and even rubber soles adhere to the ground (hopefully!). The strength of adhesion depends on the materials involved and how much surface area is in contact.
Adhesion isn't always a good thing—barnacles adhering to a ship's hull can slow it down! But in many cases, like tape sticking to paper or bandages staying put, adhesion is incredibly useful. It's a key concept in everything from construction to biology (think of how cells adhere to each other!).
Adhesion refers to the attraction between different substances or surfaces, causing them to stick together. It's more than just simple "sticking"; it involves intermolecular forces—tiny electrical attractions between molecules at the surfaces. Think about a gecko climbing a wall: its feet have microscopic structures that maximize adhesion with the surface, allowing it to defy gravity!
While sometimes confused with "cohesion" (the attraction within a single substance), adhesion is specifically about bonding between different substances. Water adhering to glass is an example of adhesion; water molecules sticking to each other is cohesion.
Adhesion plays a crucial role in countless everyday phenomena and scientific fields. In medicine, the principles of adhesion are used for bandages, dental fillings, and surgical glues that replace stitches. In engineering, it's vital for creating strong bonds in structures like airplanes and bridges. In nature, adhesion allows plants to cling to surfaces, insects to walk on walls, and our bodies to function properly.
You might hear about "adhesive forces" when discussing wetting or capillary action—the way liquids can rise or creep through narrow spaces against gravity. Capillary action depends on both adhesion (to the surface) and cohesion (within the liquid). So next time you see something sticking to something else, remember it's not just luck—it's the power of adhesion at work!
Examples
- 1
Materials
This glue has strong adhesion on wood, plastic, and glass.
- 2
Painting
The paint peeled off because there wasn't enough adhesion between the wall and the first coat.
- 3
Medical condition
After the operation, doctors found adhesions in her abdomen.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- strong adhesion
- poor adhesion
- surface adhesion
- adhesion between surfaces
Word family
Explore
- surface tension
- wetting
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- adhesionnoun
Forms
- adhesionspluralnoun