bond
Bond (noun) means a certificate representing a loan to a government or company, which pays interest and repays the original amount later. Example: “She invested her savings in government bonds.”
How to use bond
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a financial IOU that pays interest, or a strong connection that ties people or things together.
Word forms
more bond comparative, bonded past tense, bonds plural, bonds plural, Bonds plural, bonds singular, most bond superlative
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She invested her savings in government _____.
Etymology
From Middle English bond, a variant of "band," from Old English words for a chain or binding tie — the same root that gives us "bind."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bond
See all rhymes for bond →Frequently asked questions
What does “bond” mean?
The word “bond” means a certificate representing a loan to a government or company, which pays interest and repays the original amount later. In plain terms, either a financial IOU that pays interest, or a strong connection that ties people or things together.
How do you pronounce “bond”?
“Bond” is pronounced bond (/bɑnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “bond” in a sentence?
Here is “bond” used in a sentence: “She invested her savings in government bonds.”
What is another word for “bond”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bond” include stick.
What part of speech is “bond”?
Depending on how it is used, “bond” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bond” come from?
The word “bond” comes from Old English. From Middle English bond, a variant of "band," from Old English words for a chain or binding tie — the same root that gives us "bind.".
Is “bond” a common word?
“Bond” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bond” have?
“Bond” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a certificate representing a loan to a government or company, which pays interest and repays the original amount later.
What is the difference between a bond and a stock?
A bond is a loan: you lend money to a government or company and they promise to pay it back with interest. A stock is ownership, a share of the company itself. Bondholders are creditors who receive fixed payments, while shareholders are part-owners whose returns rise and fall with the business.
What are the main types of bonds?
Bonds are usually grouped by who issues them. Government bonds, such as US Treasuries or UK gilts, are backed by a national government; municipal bonds are issued by local authorities; and corporate bonds are sold by companies to raise money. They vary in risk, interest rate, and how long until they repay.
Are bonds a safe investment?
Bonds are generally considered lower-risk than stocks because they promise fixed interest and repayment of the original amount. Government bonds from stable countries are among the safest. However, no bond is risk-free: the issuer could default, and rising interest rates or inflation can reduce a bond's value if you sell before maturity.
How do you make money from a bond?
There are two ways. First, the bond pays regular interest, often called the coupon, until it matures. Second, you can sell the bond to another investor before maturity, potentially for more than you paid. When the bond matures, the issuer repays the original loan amount, known as the face value.
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