fixation
noun
fix·a·tion
fik-ˈsā-shən 
a
: a persistent concentration of libidinal energies upon objects characteristic of psychosexual stages of development preceding the genital stage
b
: stereotyped behavior (as in response to frustration)
c
: an obsessive or unhealthy preoccupation or attachment
The never-ceasing interest, even fixation, of the royals was on the preservation of their dynasty.—
Warren F. Kimball
Examples of fixation in a Sentence
their weight is an unfortunate fixation for many teenagers
Recent Examples on the Web
Liotus says, referring to the Boston socialite with the Venice fixation.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 10 Jan. 2026
May’s fixations include fragmented narratives, portraits of place, boundaries and borders, and collective memory.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
Here's your guide to the new doctors and nurses popping up in Season 2 of everyone's current medical drama fixation.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
In some ways, that seems very good; a bizarre fixation on ratings as an indicator of Hollywood robustness can be done away with forever.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fixation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fixation. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
fixation
noun
fix·a·tion
fik-ˈsā-shən
1
: the act, process, or result of fixing
2
: a state of concern or attachment especially when abnormal and lasting for a long time
Medical Definition
fixation
noun
fix·a·tion
fik-ˈsā-shən
1
a
: the act or an instance of focusing the eyes upon an object
b
: a persistent concentration of libidinal energies upon objects characteristic of psychosexual stages of development preceding the genital stage
c
: stereotyped behavior (as in response to frustration)
d
: an obsessive or unhealthy preoccupation or attachment
2
: the immobilization of the parts of a fractured bone especially by the use of various metal attachments
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