bind

1 of 2

verb

bound ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bind (audio) ; binding

transitive verb

1
a
: to make secure by tying
His hands were bound with rope.
b
: to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds
… she was not wholly bound in mind by her middle-class existenceDelmore Schwartz
c
: to put under an obligation
binds himself with an oath
d
: to constrain with legal authority
The court's decision binds them to pay the fine.
2
a
: to wrap around with something so as to enclose or cover
A silk sash bound her waist.
b
: bandage
bind their wounds
3
: to fasten round about
when wreaths of laurel bound them
4
: to tie together
binding the wheat into sheaves
5
a
: to cause to stick together
tuna and celery bound by mayonnaise
b
: to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) : combine with
cellulose binds water
6
: constipate
Cheese tends to bind him.
7
: to make a firm commitment for
a handshake binds the deal
8
: to protect, strengthen, or decorate by a band or binding
a carpet bound with a gold edging
9
: to apply the parts of the cover to (a book)
10
: to set at work as an apprentice : indenture
He was bound out to a tailor for one year.
11
: to cause to have an emotional attachment
the emotional ties that bind us
12
: to fasten together
a pin bound the ends of the scarf

intransitive verb

1
a
: to form a cohesive mass
A little milk will help the ingredients bind.
b
: to combine or be taken up especially by chemical action
antibody binds to a specific antigen
2
: to hamper free movement or natural action
shorts that are guaranteed not to bind
3
: to become hindered from free operation
Rust caused the door to bind in its frame.
4
: to exert a restraining or compelling effect
a promise that binds

bind

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: something that binds
b
: the act of binding : the state of being bound
c
: a place where binding occurs
2
music : tie sense 3
3
: a position or situation in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from free movement or action
got a bind on his opponent
Phrases
in a bind
: in trouble
seem to have gotten myself in a bind

Examples of bind in a Sentence

Verb She bound her hair in a ponytail. The machine binds the hay into bales. He doesn't like to wear clothes that bind. Noun It's a real bind having to meet all these deadlines. with our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
That inhibition in other areas of the body may be due to SSRIs potentially restricting blood flow by binding to alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, which are found in blood vessels in the skin, brain and more. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Defense lawyers have instead argued that the decision in the case was fundamentally flawed and is bound to be overturned on appeal. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024 TikTok is based in China TikTok Inc. is a U.S. company and bound by U.S. law. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The Perils of Navigating the Transgender Health Care System How To Support a Kid Who Wants to Use a Chest Binder If your child wonders how to bind their chest, resources are available to support them and you. Lauren Rowello, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Starches: The blend contains three kinds of starch (cornstarch, tapioca starch and potato starch) each with its own unique abilities to bind and thicken. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024 It’s bound to work well with nearly any table arrangement, thanks to its creamy hue. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 They’re also astrologically bound to their opposite sign, Capricorn, which is also believed to be Grande’s rising sign. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 Like any object, an Oscar’s relationship with the person who won it is bound to change. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
The persistent gender gap in vibes reflects this impossible bind. Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 Indeed, Netanyahu’s bind is that his government coalition relies on Haredi parties to stay in power. Mick Krever, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Ignore the presidential campaign and the upcoming criminal trial; Trump’s ruinous financial bind has to be his biggest concern at this moment. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 28 Feb. 2024 The law puts local governments in a financial bind, county officials say. Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024 The second point is the most important one and explains the bind anxious CEOs now find themselves in. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 24 Feb. 2024 Those who believe that extending Ukraine a NATO invitation would be a mistake claim that the country’s accession would only worsen the binds in which Europe and the entire West now find themselves. Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2024 That unit, led by defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald, can play varied coverages and put offenses in binds. Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 While California lawmakers feel pressure to address concerns about crime, the murky and sometimes contradictory evidence of an increase in lawlessness has put legislators in a bind. Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English bindan; akin to Old High German bintan to bind, Greek peisma cable, Sanskrit badhnāti he ties

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bind was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bind

Cite this Entry

“Bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bind. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bind

1 of 2 verb
bound ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bind (audio) ; binding
1
a
: to fasten by tying
b
: to hold or restrict by force or obligation
bound by an oath
2
: bandage entry 2
bind a wound
3
a
: to stick together
b
: to form a mass that sticks together
c
: to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) : combine with
4
: to make firm or sure
a deposit binds the sale
5
a
: to finish or decorate with a binding
b
: to fasten together and enclose in a cover

bind

2 of 2 noun
: something that binds

Medical Definition

bind

1 of 2 verb
bound ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bind (audio) ; binding

transitive verb

1
: to wrap up (an injury) with a cloth : bandage
binding up the gash with clean gauze
2
: to take up and hold usually by chemical forces : combine with
cellulose binds water
3
: to make costive : constipate

intransitive verb

1
a
: to form a cohesive mass
b
: to combine or be taken up especially by chemical action
antibody binds to a specific antigen
2
: to hamper free movement

bind

2 of 2 noun
1
: something that binds
2
: the act of binding : the state of being bound see double bind

Legal Definition

bind

transitive verb
bound ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bind (audio) ; binding
1
a
: to make responsible for an obligation (as under a contract)
agents have the power to bind the insurerR. I. Mehr
b
: to burden with an obligation
prevented married women from binding their propertyJ. H. Friedenthal et al.
2
: to exert control over : constrain by legal authority
this court is bound by precedent
3
: to bring (an insurance policy) into effect by an oral communication or a binder

More from Merriam-Webster on bind

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