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\ ˈmend 
\
\mended; mending; mends
Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to free from faults or defects: such as
a : to improve in manners or morals : reform was advised to mend his ways
b : to set right : correct mend a corrupt text
c : to put into good shape or working order again : patch up : repair the roads were never mended— Ellen Glasgow
d : to improve or strengthen (something, such as a relationship) by negotiation or conciliation
—used chiefly in the phrase mend fencesspends the weekend mending political fences— E. O. Hauser
e : to restore to health : cure before the bone was fully mended — Current Biography
2 : to make amends or atonement for
least said, soonest mended
1 : to improve morally : reform It's never too late to mend.
2 : to become corrected or improved
depression and lack of spirit mended visibly— Arnold Nicholson
mend
nounDefinition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)
on the mend
: getting better : improving
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Other Words from mend
Verb
mendable \ ˈmen-də-bəl \ adjective
\ adjectivemender noun
Examples of mend in a Sentence
Verb
The town needs to mend these roads.
Fishermen were mending their nets.
Her arm mended slowly after surgery.
His broken heart never completely mended. Noun
You can hardly see the mend in the sleeve.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Her goal is to reunite her estranged children and mend her dysfunctional family.
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Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, "Stuck at home? These 10 books from Carmichael's will help you support local, pass the time," 17 Mar. 2020 Now that the relationship between Knight and IU is mended, trips to Assembly Hall may become more common for the Hall of Fame coach.
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Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star, "Bob Knight returns to Assembly Hall for IU women's basketball game," 27 Feb. 2020 The courageous words of Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s wife and Gianna’s mother, were heartbreaking and heart-mending in equal measure.
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Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Celebration of life for Kobe Bryant teaches strength of love and forgiveness," 26 Feb. 2020 The decision is likely to come as a relief for Trudeau, who has been trying to balance pledges to fight climate change and to support Canada’s struggling oil and gas sector — all while mending the country’s relationship with its indigenous people.
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Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, "Canada’s Teck Resources withdraws application for controversial mine days before government decision," 24 Feb. 2020 For us, Greeley’s sad end might be a cautionary lesson that a nation rent asunder is not easily mended.
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John Strausbaugh, National Review, "Horace Greeley’s Ill-Fated Crusades," 19 Dec. 2019 Gordon Hayward is expected to return after missing Friday’s win over the Hawks to rest and mend assorted bumps and bruises.
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Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, "Celtics begin tough stretch against Western Conference opponents," 8 Feb. 2020 The two slights left many stunned and wondering whether the tensions between political parties would ever mend.
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Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, "Senate appears poised to acquit President Trump as historic impeachment trial nears end," 5 Feb. 2020 Take advantage of an opportunity to pay a compliment, offer a pat on the back or mend fences with a sincere apology.
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oregonlive, "Horoscope for Jan. 27, 2020: Happy birthday Patton Oswalt; Sagittarius, focus on your job," 27 Jan. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Louisville football spring injury update Satterfield named three players — defensive backs Jack Fagot (collarbone) and Russ Yeast (knee), plus linebacker Nick Okeke (shoulder) — who missed spring practices, but said that each is on the mend.
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Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, "Scott Satterfield optimistic college football season will be played despite coronavirus," 24 Mar. 2020 After a miserable Monday, today's markets are...on the mend.
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Bernhard Warner, Fortune, "Markets roar back after Monday’s historic sell-off," 10 Mar. 2020 During the NKC Economics colloquium, held in Cape Town in 2019, experts gave their suggested solutions for government to put the country on the mend.
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Norma Young, Quartz Africa, "A misguided attempt by FW de Klerk to reframe apartheid’s impact damages his legacy," 25 Feb. 2020 With Riddick still on the mend with a shoulder issue, the Broncos have elected to roll with Lindsay or Freeman — or both — on third down.
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Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, "Royce Freeman on being Broncos’ “complete” running back: “I can’t settle for anything less.”," 20 Sep. 2019 Tatum is also on the mend with a shin contusion but is expected to be ready in time for Sunday’s opener.
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Kyle Hightower, The Seattle Times, "Pacers, Celtics enter playoff matchup looking for redemption," 13 Apr. 2019 But Berlin — which thrived through most of the 20th century before the bottom fell out in the early 2000s — hardly feels like a city on the mend.
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Washington Post, "‘We’re hurting’: In New Hampshire’s poorest city, few signs of Trump’s ‘blue-collar boom’," 10 Feb. 2020 WPA PoolGetty Images According to a source close to the royal family, Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship is on the mend.
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Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Prince William and Prince Harry Are Reportedly "Talking More" After Going Through a Rough Patch," 8 Feb. 2020 The Leafs are without Morgan Rielly, and Carolina’s Dougie Hamilton is on the mend.
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Ross Mckeon, SFChronicle.com, "Sharks goalie Aaron Dell’s improved play could make him trade target," 7 Feb. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for mend
mend
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to make (something broken or damaged) usable again : to repair (something broken or damaged)
: to heal or cure (a broken bone, a sad feeling, etc.)
mend
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)
: a place where something (such as a piece of clothing) has been repaired
See the full definition for mend in the English Language Learners Dictionary
mend
verb\ ˈmend \
\mended; mending
Kids Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
mend
nounKids Definition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)
: a place where something has been fixed so that it is usable again
You can't even see the mend in his pants.
on the mend
: getting better
Her broken leg is on the mend.
mend
transitive verb\ ˈmend \
\Medical Definition of mend
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to restore to health : cure time will mend the broken bone
: to improve in health also : heal
mend
nounMedical Definition of mend (Entry 2 of 2)
: an act of mending or repair
on the mend
: getting better or improving especially in health
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The first known use of mend was in the 13th century
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