noun
Uncommon
bending
BEHN-dihng
Bending (noun) means the action of curving or forcing something out of a straight line. Example: “Repeated bending weakened the metal bracket.”
noun
1
The action of curving or forcing something out of a straight line.
"Repeated bending weakened the metal bracket."
"The bending of the branch under the snow's weight worried us all night."
"Frequent bending to pick up toys left his back aching."
adjective
1
Able to bend or flex without breaking.
"The gymnast’s bending flexibility amazed the judges."
How to use bending
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of curving something, or (as an adjective) capable of flexing.
Common pairings
mind-bending
metal bending
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Word forms
- Plural
- bendings
- Comparative
- more bending
- Superlative
- most bending
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Repeated _____ weakened the metal bracket.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for bending
ending
sending
lending
pending
mending
spending
unending
blending
trending
defending
ascending
attending
See all rhymes for bending →
Frequently asked questions
What does “bending” mean?
The word “bending” means the action of curving or forcing something out of a straight line. In plain terms, the act of curving something, or (as an adjective) capable of flexing.
How do you pronounce “bending”?
“Bending” is pronounced BEHN-dihng (/ˈbɛndɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bending” in a sentence?
Here is “bending” used in a sentence: “Repeated bending weakened the metal bracket.”
What part of speech is “bending”?
Depending on how it is used, “bending” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “bending” a common word?
“Bending” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bending” have?
“Bending” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the action of curving or forcing something out of a straight line.
What is the difference between "bending" as a noun and as an adjective?
As a noun, "bending" refers to the action of curving or forcing something out of a straight line, such as "the bending of the metal rod." As an adjective, "bending" describes something able to bend or flex without breaking, such as a "bending branch," describing a quality rather than an action.
What is the difference between "bending" and "breaking"?
"Bending" involves curving or flexing something out of its straight shape while it remains intact, whereas "breaking" means the material separates or fails entirely. Something described as "bending" is typically flexible enough to withstand force without snapping.
