binding

1 of 2

noun

bind·​ing ˈbīn-diŋ 

1

: the action of one that binds

2

: a material or device used to bind: such as

a

: the cover and materials that hold a book together

b

: a narrow fabric used to finish raw edges

c

: a device that holds a boot firmly to a ski or snowboard

binding

2 of 2

adjective

1

: that binds

2

: imposing an obligation

bindingly

ˈbīn-diŋ-lē 

adverb

bindingness noun

Examples of binding in a Sentence

Noun

a carpet edged with canvas binding

The bindings have started to come loose.

Adjective

The contract is legally binding.

The parties agreed to settle the dispute through binding arbitration.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Anthropic also purchased millions of print copies in bulk, stripped the books’ bindings and made scanned digital copies that were used to train Claude. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Complete with brown poplin binding, the piece delivers a coastal nod without screaming beach bag. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 12 July 2026

Adjective

During a public meeting June 3, the council unanimously approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with The Rinks Foundation, a nonprofit that runs eight such facilities throughout Southern California, including one in Poway. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

Since the prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract, lawyers generally think Tenisha Warner has a strong case to say she is owed the money promised in the agreement. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing binding

• adhesive binding
• binding energy
• binding site
• perfect binding
• spiral binding

Rhymes for binding

• blinding
• finding
• grinding
• minding
• winding
• bookbinding
• factfinding
• nonbinding
• rebinding
• regrinding
• reminding
• rewinding

Kids Definition

binding

noun

bind·​ing

ˈbīn-diŋ

1

: the cover and fastenings of a book

2

: a narrow strip of fabric used along the edge of an article of clothing

Legal Definition

binding

adjective

1

: imposing a legal obligation

the agreement is binding on the parties

2

: requiring submission to a specified authority

the suppression order was binding on the Department of Transportation

—National Law Journal