noun
bender
BEHN-duh
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 notesIn 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).