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
The New Jersey Democrat has broken his speech up into several topics, and brought a large binder with him to the Senate to assist.
—
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Her journals and poems, collected in binders, served as the scaffolding.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Get In a Bind Use mustard or mayo as a binder for your rub—think of it as seasoning glue.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
When Mares found out one of Kettle & Fire’s natural flavor suppliers used small amounts of canola oil as a binder, the company stopped working with that supplier and changed to another that used olive oil.
—Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for binder
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Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Her journals and poems, collected in binders, served as the scaffolding.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Get In a Bind Use mustard or mayo as a binder for your rub—think of it as seasoning glue.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
When Mares found out one of Kettle & Fire’s natural flavor suppliers used small amounts of canola oil as a binder, the company stopped working with that supplier and changed to another that used olive oil.
—Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for binder
Cite this Entry
“Binder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binder. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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