bind
BYND
Bind (verb) means to tie, fasten, or hold something together tightly, using rope, cord, a band, or similar. Example: “She bound the loose papers together with string.”
verb
1
To tie, fasten, or hold something together tightly, using rope, cord, a band, or similar.
"She bound the loose papers together with string."
"The rope was used to bind the fence posts in place."
2
To hold someone under a legal, moral, or promised obligation.
"The contract binds both parties to a five-year term."
"He felt bound by his promise to help."
"A signed agreement will bind you to the terms for a full year."
3
In computing, to link or associate a name, variable, or module with a value or piece of code.
"The variable is bound to a value when the function runs."
"The tool lets you bind a button to a function in your code."
"When the page loads, we bind each form field to its stored value."
noun
1
A difficult or awkward situation with no easy way out.
"We're in a real bind now that the flight's cancelled."
"Losing my keys left me in a bind, locked out in the rain."
"He's in a bind because two important meetings are at the same time."
How to use bind
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo tie things together, or to hold someone to an obligation or rule.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the noun sense "a bind" (a tricky situation) with "bound" (the past tense) — "I was bound by contract" is correct, not "I was binded."
Common pairings
bind together
legally bound
bind a wound
in a bind
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Word forms
- Plural
- binds
- Third person singular
- binds
- Past tense
- bound, binded, bounden, ybounden, ybound
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rope was used to _____ the fence posts in place.
Etymology
From Old English bindan, going back to a very old Indo-European root meaning "to tie" — the same root gives us "bandana" and "band."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for bind
See all rhymes for bind →Frequently asked questions
What does “bind” mean?
The word “bind” means to tie, fasten, or hold something together tightly, using rope, cord, a band, or similar. In plain terms, to tie things together, or to hold someone to an obligation or rule.
How do you pronounce “bind”?
“Bind” is pronounced BYND (/ˈbaɪ̯nd/ in IPA).
How do you use “bind” in a sentence?
Here is “bind” used in a sentence: “The rope was used to bind the fence posts in place.”
What part of speech is “bind”?
Depending on how it is used, “bind” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “bind” come from?
The word “bind” comes from Old English. From Old English bindan, going back to a very old Indo-European root meaning "to tie" — the same root gives us "bandana" and "band.".
Is “bind” a common word?
“Bind” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bind” have?
“Bind” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to tie, fasten, or hold something together tightly, using rope, cord, a band, or similar.
What is the difference between bind and tie?
Bind and tie both describe fastening something together, but bind often suggests wrapping or securing something more thoroughly, such as binding a wound, while tie usually implies a knot or loop. Bind also extends to abstract senses, such as legal obligation, that tie does not typically cover.
What does it mean to be in a bind?
To be in a bind means to be in a difficult or awkward situation with no easy way out, such as being caught between two unappealing choices. This noun sense is distinct from the verb meaning to tie or obligate.
What does bind mean in computing?
In computing, to bind means to link or associate a name, variable, or module with a value or piece of code, such as binding a variable to a specific data type. This technical sense differs from the everyday meaning of physically tying something together.
How does a legal bind differ from a physical bind?
A legal or moral bind means being held under an obligation or promise, such as a contract that binds two parties to its terms, while a physical bind involves actually tying or fastening an object. Both senses share the underlying idea of being held or restricted.
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