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noun Uncommon

bender

BEHN-duh

Bender (noun) means a prolonged period of heavy drinking. Example: “He went on a three-day bender after the breakup.”

noun
1
A prolonged period of heavy drinking.
"He went on a three-day bender after the breakup."
2
A tool or machine used to bend material such as pipe or metal.
"The plumber used a pipe bender to shape the copper tubing."

How to Use Bender

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly, a long stretch of heavy drinking; also literally a tool that bends material.

When to use it

"Go on a bender" is informal.

Common pairings
go on a bender pipe bender

Word Forms

benders plural

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He went on a three-day _____ after the breakup.

Etymology

The "heavy drinking" sense dates from the 1840s, likely tied to the old phrase "bend the elbow" (to drink).

· First attested 1840

Class of 1840 bender joined the language around 1840.
See the full Class of 1840 →

Related Words

Rhymes for bender

See all rhymes for bender →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “bender” mean?

The word “bender” means a prolonged period of heavy drinking. In plain terms, most commonly, a long stretch of heavy drinking; also literally a tool that bends material.

How do you pronounce “bender”?

“Bender” is pronounced BEHN-duh (/ˈbɛndɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bender” in a sentence?

Here is “bender” used in a sentence: “He went on a three-day bender after the breakup.”

What is another word for “bender”?

Words with a similar meaning to “bender” include I don't think, not, over the bender, over the left and over the left shoulder.

What part of speech is “bender”?

“Bender” is a noun.

Where does the word “bender” come from?

The word “bender” dates back to around 1840. The "heavy drinking" sense dates from the 1840s, likely tied to the old phrase "bend the elbow" (to drink).

Is “bender” a common word?

“Bender” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “bender” have?

“Bender” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prolonged period of heavy drinking.

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