fastness
noun
fast·ness
ˈfas(t)-nəs 
1
: the quality or state of being fast: such as
a
: the quality or state of being fixed
b
: the quality or state of being swift
c
: colorfast quality
d
: resistance (as of an organism) to the action of a usually toxic substance
2
a
: a fortified or secure place
b
: a remote and secluded place
vacationed in their mountain fastness
Synonyms
Examples of fastness in a Sentence
the amazing fastness with which the boy took his shower had us wondering if he'd used any water
the guerillas retreated to their network of hidden fastnesses deep within the mountains
Recent Examples on the Web
The Neutral Ground had cowboys (or Cow Boys), Indians, cavalry attacks and rescues, and secret woodland fastnesses known only to the canniest frontiersman.
—
Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
The technology uses specific formaldehyde-free agents to enhance the dyeing process of raw garments, resulting in a bright and deep indigo color, improving wash and rubbing fastness, and increasing lightfastness and levelness.
—Andrea Onate, WWD, 12 June 2024
Fearing extermination, members of the Yezidi sect fled to their ancestral fastness on Mount Sinjar.
—Timothy William Waters, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2016
Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot, who has retired to a Venetian fastness.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2023
When using natural dyes, there tend to be issues with color fastness and shade consistency.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
Unlike the Brahui the Burusho are very isolated in the mountainous fastness of Baltistan in northern Pakistan.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2010
Even though the Speedo Fastskin FSII material didn't show any signs of inherent fastness (and seemed to actually increase drag, compared to when it was turned smooth-side-out), that doesn't discount the Speedo swimsuit as a whole.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2012
Test for color fastness before stitching onto bedding and washing.
—Sonja Carmon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2021
Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
The technology uses specific formaldehyde-free agents to enhance the dyeing process of raw garments, resulting in a bright and deep indigo color, improving wash and rubbing fastness, and increasing lightfastness and levelness.
—Andrea Onate, WWD, 12 June 2024
Fearing extermination, members of the Yezidi sect fled to their ancestral fastness on Mount Sinjar.
—Timothy William Waters, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2016
Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot, who has retired to a Venetian fastness.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2023
When using natural dyes, there tend to be issues with color fastness and shade consistency.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
Unlike the Brahui the Burusho are very isolated in the mountainous fastness of Baltistan in northern Pakistan.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2010
Even though the Speedo Fastskin FSII material didn't show any signs of inherent fastness (and seemed to actually increase drag, compared to when it was turned smooth-side-out), that doesn't discount the Speedo swimsuit as a whole.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2012
Test for color fastness before stitching onto bedding and washing.
—Sonja Carmon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fastness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fastness
Cite this Entry
“Fastness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fastness. Accessed 8 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fastness
noun
fast·ness
ˈfas(t)-nəs
1
: the quality or state of being fast
2
: a fortified or secure place
Medical Definition
fastness
noun
fast·ness
ˈfas(t)-nəs
: resistance (as of an organism) to the action of a usually toxic substance
streptomycin fastness developed by a strain of tubercule bacillus
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share