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

Coated Canvas Large Market Tote The roomy Market Tote can fit your smart phone, a continental wallet, tablet, a 14-inch laptop, and even an A4 binder. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2025

But any hopes of new information were quickly dashed, as the social media figures said the binders contained documents that were already in the public domain. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 7 July 2025

My new office was on the same floor as the magazine’s archive, and I was encouraged to graze among black binders containing the work of staff writers. —Mark Singer, New Yorker, 18 May 2025

The collaboration featured 12 products, including a compression binder which is used particularly by transgender men and non-binary people. —Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 26 June 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