bound
ˈbau̇nd 
; binding
; binding
1
a
: to make secure by tying
His hands were bound with rope.
b
: to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds
… she was not wholly bound in mind by her middle-class existence—
Delmore Schwartz
Delmore Schwartz
c
: to put under an obligation
binds himself with an oath
d
: to constrain with legal authority
The court's decision binds them to pay the fine.
2
a
: to wrap around with something so as to enclose or cover
A silk sash bound her waist.
b
: bandage
bind their wounds
3
: to fasten round about
when wreaths of laurel bound them
4
: to tie together
binding the wheat into sheaves
5
a
: to cause to stick together
tuna and celery bound by mayonnaise
b
: to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) : combine with
cellulose binds water
6
: constipate
Cheese tends to bind him.
7
: to make a firm commitment for
a handshake binds the deal
8
: to protect, strengthen, or decorate by a band or binding
a carpet bound with a gold edging
9
: to apply the parts of the cover to (a book)
10
: to set at work as an apprentice : indenture
He was bound out to a tailor for one year.
11
: to cause to have an emotional attachment
the emotional ties that bind us
12
: to fasten together
a pin bound the ends of the scarf
1
a
: to form a cohesive mass
A little milk will help the ingredients bind.
b
: to combine or be taken up especially by chemical action
antibody binds to a specific antigen
2
: to hamper free movement or natural action
shorts that are guaranteed not to bind
3
: to become hindered from free operation
Rust caused the door to bind in its frame.
4
: to exert a restraining or compelling effect
a promise that binds
1
2
music
: tie sense 3
3
: a position or situation in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from free movement or action
got a bind on his opponent
Synonyms
Examples of bind in a Sentence
Verb
She bound her hair in a ponytail.
The machine binds the hay into bales.
He doesn't like to wear clothes that bind.
Noun
It's a real bind having to meet all these deadlines.
with our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind
Recent Examples on the WebMelissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
That’s before considering the major uptick in international tourists bound for L.A. to catch the Games and explore the region.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Those who don't file a claim will lose any rights to sue Verizon over these issues and also be legally bound by all orders and judgments the court makes on the lawsuit.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
They were bound for New Zealand, Australia and the surrounding Pacific region, police said.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
In the 19th century, George Browne, a descendant of the family, bound the letters in leather.
—Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
Our mission continues to be to help create a space for writing that is not bound by commercial considerations or the pretenses of academic publishing.
—Jim Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
No longer bound by the need for a desktop or laptop computer, file with ease on the go!
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
So buckle up because with Guillermo Cornejo at the helm, the journey is bound to be exhilarating.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024
Now, Davis is in a bind, without a team just over two weeks until the season and unlikely to match the figure he was originally owed, despite being a 2.2-WAR player last season, according to FanGraphs.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024
The persistent gender gap in vibes reflects this impossible bind.
—Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Indeed, Netanyahu’s bind is that his government coalition relies on Haredi parties to stay in power.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024
Ignore the presidential campaign and the upcoming criminal trial; Trump’s ruinous financial bind has to be his biggest concern at this moment.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 28 Feb. 2024
The law puts local governments in a financial bind, county officials say.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
The second point is the most important one and explains the bind anxious CEOs now find themselves in.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 24 Feb. 2024
Those who believe that extending Ukraine a NATO invitation would be a mistake claim that the country’s accession would only worsen the binds in which Europe and the entire West now find themselves.
—Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2024
Verb
Thomas' ties to Crow in particular created mounting pressure on the Supreme Court to adopt a binding code of ethics.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
That’s before considering the major uptick in international tourists bound for L.A. to catch the Games and explore the region.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Those who don't file a claim will lose any rights to sue Verizon over these issues and also be legally bound by all orders and judgments the court makes on the lawsuit.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
They were bound for New Zealand, Australia and the surrounding Pacific region, police said.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
In the 19th century, George Browne, a descendant of the family, bound the letters in leather.
—Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
Our mission continues to be to help create a space for writing that is not bound by commercial considerations or the pretenses of academic publishing.
—Jim Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
No longer bound by the need for a desktop or laptop computer, file with ease on the go!
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
So buckle up because with Guillermo Cornejo at the helm, the journey is bound to be exhilarating.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
Or consider the plight of the sophisticated seller, who understands what’s coming but finds itself in a bind.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024
Now, Davis is in a bind, without a team just over two weeks until the season and unlikely to match the figure he was originally owed, despite being a 2.2-WAR player last season, according to FanGraphs.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024
The persistent gender gap in vibes reflects this impossible bind.
—Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024
Indeed, Netanyahu’s bind is that his government coalition relies on Haredi parties to stay in power.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024
Ignore the presidential campaign and the upcoming criminal trial; Trump’s ruinous financial bind has to be his biggest concern at this moment.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 28 Feb. 2024
The law puts local governments in a financial bind, county officials say.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
The second point is the most important one and explains the bind anxious CEOs now find themselves in.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 24 Feb. 2024
Those who believe that extending Ukraine a NATO invitation would be a mistake claim that the country’s accession would only worsen the binds in which Europe and the entire West now find themselves.
—Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bind
Cite this Entry
“Bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bind. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bind
1 of 2 verb
bound
ˈbau̇nd
; binding
; binding
1
a
: to fasten by tying
b
: to hold or restrict by force or obligation
bound by an oath
2
: bandage entry 2
bind a wound
3
a
: to stick together
b
: to form a mass that sticks together
c
: to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) : combine with
4
: to make firm or sure
a deposit binds the sale
5
a
: to finish or decorate with a binding
b
: to fasten together and enclose in a cover
bind
2 of 2 noun
: something that binds
Medical Definition
bind
1 of 2 verb
bound
ˈbau̇nd
; binding
; binding
1
: to wrap up (an injury) with a cloth : bandage
binding up the gash with clean gauze
2
: to take up and hold usually by chemical forces : combine with
cellulose binds water
3
: to make costive : constipate
1
a
: to form a cohesive mass
b
: to combine or be taken up especially by chemical action
antibody binds to a specific antigen
2
: to hamper free movement
bind
2 of 2 noun1
: something that binds
2
: the act of binding : the state of being bound see double bind
Legal Definition
bind
transitive verb
bound
ˈbau̇nd
; binding
; binding
1
a
: to make responsible for an obligation (as under a contract)
agents have the power to bind the insurer—R. I. Mehr
R. I. Mehr
b
: to burden with an obligation
prevented married women from binding their property—J. H. Friedenthal et al.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.2
: to exert control over : constrain by legal authority
this court is bound by precedent
3
: to bring (an insurance policy) into effect by an oral communication or a binder
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