mends; mended; mending
1
: to make (something broken or damaged) usable again : to repair (something broken or damaged)
Dad's trying to mend [=fix] the roof.
The town needs to mend these roads.
Fishermen were mending their nets.
She spent the evening mending (the holes in) her socks.
mending a torn sleeve = mending a tear in a sleeve
—often used figurativelyHe's trying to mend his reputation.
We've mended our differences [=stopped arguing] and agreed on a plan.
2
: to heal or cure (a broken bone, a sad feeling, etc.)
Surgery was needed to mend (the break in) the bone.
Only time can mend a broken heart. [=make someone stop being sad]
Her arm mended slowly after surgery.
His broken heart never completely mended.
: a place where something (such as a piece of clothing) has been repaired
You can hardly see the mend in the sleeve.
Cite this Entry
“Mend.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/mend. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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