The primary criterion for selecting probiotics having application potential is their adhesion capability to the host intestinal mucosa. The adhesion mechanism of probiotics is affected by many factors such as adhesins. Probiotics with high adhesion capability has a long intestinal residence time, contributing to their intestinal colonization in animals and stimulating intestinal barrier and metabolic functions, in turn maintaining the health of organisms. In addition, they can exert antagonistic effects against pathogens to protect intestinal health via many mechanisms such as producing antimicrobials and decreasing the adhesion capacity of pathogens and competitive binding sites. In this article, the adhesion mechanism of probiotics is reviewed, and a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in research on the adhesion characteristics and antagonistic activity against pathogens of probiotics is given.