Definition

1. Verb:

   • To tie or fasten securely: To use rope, string, or another material to make something or someone secure.
   • To constrain or obligate: To impose a legal, moral, or emotional obligation on someone.
   • To unite or hold together: To cause separate elements to cohere or form a single unit, often through a chemical or emotional connection.
   • To make constipated: To cause difficulty in bowel movements.
   • To cover or enclose by wrapping: To wrap something with a material.

2. Noun:

   • A source of restriction or difficulty: Something that confines, restricts, or creates a feeling of constraint.

Examples

• Verb:

  • Please bind these old newspapers with twine. (To tie securely)
  • The contract will bind you to the terms for three years. (To obligate)
  • Shared experiences can bind a community together. (To unite emotionally)
  • Some medications can bind the patient. (To cause constipation)
  • She will bind the book in leather. (To cover by wrapping)

• Noun:

  • He felt the bind of his financial debts. (A source of restriction)

Advanced Usage

• "to bind oneself to something": To make a formal or solemn promise to do something.

  • The knight bound himself to the king's service.

• "in a bind": In a difficult situation with limited options.

  • Missing the bus put me in a real bind.

Variants and Related Words

• Binder (n): A cover for holding loose sheets or a substance that causes adhesion.

  • She put the reports in a three-ring binder.

• Binding (adj/n): Creating an obligation (adj); the cover of a book or a strip used for edging (n).

  • The agreement is legally binding. The book has a leather binding.

• Bound (adj/v): The past tense and past participle of 'bind'; also meaning obligated or destined.

  • He was bound by his promise. She is bound for success.

Synonyms

• Fasten: To attach or secure.
• Obligate: To bind by a legal or moral requirement.
• Constrict: To make narrow or tight, to restrict.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bind over: (Legal) To order someone to do something, especially to appear in court or keep the peace.

  • The judge bound him over for trial.

• Bind up: To bandage or wrap; to consolidate.

  • The nurse will bind up the wound. They decided to bind up the separate reports into one volume.

Related Idioms

• Bind hand and foot: To restrict someone's freedom completely.

  • The complex regulations bound the company hand and foot.

• Tie/bind someone's hands: To prevent someone from acting freely.

  • The strict budget binds the manager's hands.

Noun

1. something that hinders as if with bonds

Verb

1. cause to be constipated
   • These foods tend to constipate you
2. form a chemical bond with
   • The hydrogen binds the oxygen
3. fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
   • They tied their victim to the chair
4. provide with a binding
   • bind the books in leather
5. bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted
   • He's held by a contract
   • I'll hold you by your promise
6. secure with or as if with ropes
   • tie down the prisoners
   • tie up the old newspapers and bring them to the recycling shed
7. wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose
8. make fast; tie or secure, with or as if with a rope
   • The Chinese would bind the feet of their women
9. create social or emotional ties
   • The grandparents want to bond with the child
10. stick to firmly
    • Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall?