binder

noun

bind·​er ˈbīn-dər 

1

: a person or machine that binds something (such as books)

2

a

: something used in binding

b

: a usually detachable cover (as for holding sheets of paper)

3

: something (such as tar or cement) that produces or promotes cohesion in loosely assembled substances

4

: a temporary insurance contract that provides coverage until the policy is issued

5

: something (such as money) given in earnest

also : the agreement arrived at

6

: a tobacco leaf wrapped between the filler and wrapper of a cigar

Examples of binder in a Sentence

The egg in the recipe acts as a binder.

Recent Examples on the Web

As recent material analysis demonstrates, gum arabic was predominantly used as a binder in these small and hard cakes of paint. —Erik Zou, JSTOR Daily, 25 Apr. 2025

Phosphate binders reduce the amount of phosphate that gets absorbed.7 4. —Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025

For companies still using physical data storage (e.g., USB drives, binders), invest in waterproof/watertight storage for critical information. —Patty Templeton-Jones, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

In the meantime, some of the attendees began to downplay the contents of the binders in social media posts. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing binder

• ring binder

Rhymes for binder

• blinder
• finder
• grinder
• kinder
• minder
• pinder
• bookbinder
• factfinder
• pathfinder
• reminder
• sidewinder
• viewfinder

Kids Definition

binder

noun

bind·​er ˈbīn-dər 

1

: a person or machine that binds something (as books)

2

: a cover for holding together loose sheets of paper

3

: something that holds other substances together

use egg as a binder in meat loaf

Medical Definition

binder

noun

bind·​er ˈbīn-dər 

1

: a broad bandage applied (as about the chest or abdomen) for support

a breast binder

an obstetrical binder

2

: a substance (as glucose or acacia) used in pharmacy to hold together the ingredients of a compressed tablet

Legal Definition

binder

noun

bind·​er ˈbīn-dər 

1

: a temporary insurance contract that provides coverage until the policy is issued

2

: a receipt for money paid to the owner of real estate or to the owner's agent to secure the right to purchase the real estate upon agreed terms

also : the money itself