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's been out on a bender with his mates."
"I've really been on a bender and it shows"
— My Chemical Romance, The Sharpest Lives (2006)
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- benders
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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).
Class of 1840
bender joined the language around 1840.
See the full Class of 1840 →
Synonyms
View more →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.
