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 Web
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
But viewers are bound to tune in all the same, as the show about a Montana ranch owner and his family has broken ratings records for years.
—Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week Us, theweek, 13 Nov. 2024
Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2024
Zelensky’s request for an invitation leaves NATO in a bind.
—Samya Kullab and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bind 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
Hoping that Brendan would find it in his heart to spare her husband’s life, and knowing that the IRA was bound to discover his double-identity sooner rather than later, Kathleen confesses to Brendan.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
But viewers are bound to tune in all the same, as the show about a Montana ranch owner and his family has broken ratings records for years.
—Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week Us, theweek, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
But their story also offers a glimpse into the bind that some nonfiction filmmakers are facing in a cost-cutting, risk-averse market.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2024
Zelensky’s request for an invitation leaves NATO in a bind.
—Samya Kullab and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bind
Dictionary Entries Near bind
Cite this Entry
“Bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bind. Accessed 26 Nov. 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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