Bind

/baɪnd/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To tie or fasten securely.

/baɪnd/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To tie or fasten something.

She bound her hair with a ribbon.

💡 Simply: To tie something up.

More Examples

2

The prisoner was bound hand and foot.

How It's Used

General

"He bound the package with rope."

Medical

"The doctor bound the wound with a bandage."

2

To create a legal or moral obligation.

/baɪnd/

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To obligate or commit.

We are bound by the rules of the competition.

💡 Simply: To make someone legally or morally responsible.

More Examples

2

He felt bound to help his friend.

How It's Used

Legal

"The contract binds both parties to its terms."

Tip:Think of being bound by a promise – you're obligated.
3

Something that binds or fastens.

/baɪnd/

nounneutralBeginner
Object

A fastening or binding.

The strong bind held the package securely.

💡 Simply: The way something is fastened together.

How It's Used

Bookbinding

"The book's bind was coming apart."

Tip:Think of the binding of a book – the cover and spine.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

bind over

To require someone to appear in court at a later date.

"The judge bound him over for trial."

Old English *bindan, from Proto-Germanic *bindaną. Related to words meaning 'to tie' in other Germanic languages.

The word 'bind' has a long history, appearing in Old English texts primarily in the context of physical fastening.

Memory tip

Think of binding a book – it's fastened together.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"To tie, fasten"

bind togetherbind tightlylegally bound

Common misspellings

binddbinnd

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written