bind

1 of 2

verb

ˈbīnd 

bound ˈbau̇nd  ; binding

transitive verb

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

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

intransitive verb

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

bind

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: something that binds

b

: the act of binding : the state of being bound

c

: a place where binding occurs

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

Phrases

in a bind

: in trouble

seem to have gotten myself in a bind

Synonyms

Verb

• chain
• enchain
• enfetter
• fetter
• gyve
• handcuff
• manacle
• pinion
• shackle
• trammel

Noun

• box
• catch-22
• corner
• dilemma
• fix
• hole
• impasse
• jackpot [chiefly West]
• jam
• mire
• pickle
• predicament
• quagmire
• rabbit hole
• rattrap
• spot
• sticky wicket
• swamp

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 Web

Verb

Chemically, molecules other than just sugar can bind to the tongue’s sweet receptors, signaling to the brain that something sweet has landed. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024

The person appeared to have their hands bound together. —Riley Mellen, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024

The cork that’s of a lower quality is broken down into tiny bits, or granules, which are then assembled into sheets, and bound together by glue. —Ines De La Cuetara, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024

You are bound to be inspired by these 10 great gifts for the foodie mom: Ciccetti Cheese & Charcuterie Board $129.00 Boarderie ships this Ciccetti Cheese & Charcuterie Board to your home, cut, arranged and ready to serve! —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 25 Apr. 2024

The man bound Rowan’s wrists with a necktie, punched her until her ribs broke, removed his pants and raped her. —Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024

As more people take popular diabetes and anti-obesity injectable medications, more questions about their lifestyle impact are bound to emerge. —Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2024

The state of reefs is a great example of the surprising economic ripple effects of climate change—and those effects are bound to hit a wide range of firms. —Justin Worland, TIME, 20 Apr. 2024

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

Noun

Emerging markets, like Indonesia and those throughout Southeast Asia, are in a bind. —Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 25 Apr. 2024

Modern-day single women are in a bind— and some are forced to go into the negatives to deal with the very antiquated salary discrepancies colliding with 21st century cost of living. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Tarantino cast Grier, a blaxploitation legend, as the title character in his Elmore Leonard adaptation about a flight attendant caught in a bind. —The New York Times Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English bindan; akin to Old High German bintan to bind, Greek peisma cable, Sanskrit badhnāti he ties

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bind

• bind off
• bind over
• double bind
• in a bind

Kids Definition

bind

1 of 2 verb

ˈbīnd 

bound ˈbau̇nd  ; 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

ˈbīnd 

bound ˈbau̇nd  ; binding

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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 noun

1

: something that binds

2

: the act of binding : the state of being bound see double bind

Legal Definition

bind

transitive verb

ˈbīnd 

bound ˈbau̇nd  ; binding

1

a

: to make responsible for an obligation (as under a contract)

agents have the power to bind the insurer

—R. I. Mehr

b

: to burden with an obligation

prevented married women from binding their property

—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