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

Its Tablì are made without any coating, binder or gelatin. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 June 2026

As family and friends gathered to honor her grandmother, Mikelson's phone was constantly buzzing with notifications from strangers online who had fallen in love with the binder. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026

All told, the blanket fort included hundreds of sheets draped over tent poles and anchored by ropes, pipes, and even binder clips. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 June 2026

Instead, use binders in nature that can assemble natural materials into a future where Earth can digest the architectural realm. —Marcella Baietto, CBS News, 1 June 2026

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