Definition

1. Noun:

   • A curved or angled part of something: A bend is a place where something is not straight but forms a curve or an angle.
   • A physical curve or fold: A bend can be a curve in a road, river, or path, or a fold in a material like cloth.
   • A type of heraldic line: In heraldry, a bend is a diagonal band across a shield.

2. Verb:

   • To curve or make something curve: To bend is to change shape from straight to curved or angled.
   • To move the body forward or downward: To bend is to lean the body, typically at the waist or knees.
   • To change direction: To bend can mean to turn or deviate from a straight path.
   • To submit or adapt: To bend can mean to yield or to adapt something to a purpose.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • There is a sharp bend in the road ahead. (The road has a sudden curve.)
  • He has a bend in his elbow from the old injury. (His elbow has a permanent curve.)
  • The river follows a wide bend through the valley. (The river takes a large, curved path.)

• Verb:

  • You need to bend the wire to fit it into the hole. (You must curve the wire.)
  • She had to bend down to pick up the coin. (She leaned forward from her waist.)
  • The light bends as it passes through water. (The light's path changes direction.)
  • He refused to bend to their demands. (He refused to yield to their pressure.)

Advanced Usage

• "to bend over backwards": to try extremely hard to help or please someone.
  • She bent over backwards to make sure her guests were comfortable.
• "to bend the rules": to interpret or apply rules loosely or flexibly.
  • The manager sometimes bends the rules for special circumstances.
• "to be bent on something": to be determined to do something.
  • He is bent on finishing the project tonight.

Variants and Related Words

• Bent (adjective): Not straight; curved. Also, having a natural skill or inclination ().
• Bender (noun): A period of excessive drinking; or, a tool or machine for bending something.
• Bendable (adjective): Capable of being bent; flexible.

Synonyms

• Verb: Curve, flex, twist, bow, lean, yield, incline.
• Noun: Curve, turn, crook, arc, angle, fold.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bend down: To lower the upper body.
  • He bent down to tie his shoe.
• Bend to: To submit or yield to something.
  • The metal will bend to the force of the machine.
• Bend over: To lean forward at the waist.
  • Please bend over and touch your toes.

Related Idioms

• On bended knee: In a humble or pleading manner.
  • He asked for her forgiveness on bended knee.
• Around the bend: Crazy or insane (informal).
  • All this stress is driving me around the bend.
• Bend someone's ear: To talk to someone for a long time, especially about a problem.
  • My neighbor bent my ear for an hour about his plumbing issues.

Noun

1. diagonal line traversing a shield from the upper right corner to the lower left
2. a town in central Oregon at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range
3. an angular or rounded shape made by folding
   • a fold in the napkin
   • a crease in his trousers
   • a plication on her blouse
   • a flexure of the colon
   • a bend of his elbow
4. curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
5. movement that causes the formation of a curve
6. a circular segment of a curve
   • a bend in the road
   • a crook in the path

Verb

1. bend a joint
   • flex your wrists
   • bend your knees
2. turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
3. bend one's back forward from the waist on down
   • he crouched down
   • She bowed before the Queen
   • The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse
4. cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
   • bend the rod
   • twist the dough into a braid
   • the strong man could turn an iron bar
5. change direction
   • The road bends
6. form a curve
   • The stick does not bend