binder

noun

bind·​er ˈbīn-dər How to pronounce binder (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The binders contained information that had already largely been in the public domain. Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025 The mozzarella in the filling mixture sort of serves as a binder or glue; without it, the cream cheese filling would be all oozy and might squish out of the chicken. Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 13 July 2025 Granulated cork mixed with binders was turned into tiles, bricks, boards, and other products. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2025 Advertisement Flipping ahead a few pages in the same UNH binder, things get even worse. Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for binder

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

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Cite this Entry

“Binder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binder. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

binder

noun
bind·​er ˈbīn-dər How to pronounce binder (audio)
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 How to pronounce binder (audio)
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 How to pronounce binder (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on binder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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