bond
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.”
noun
1
A certificate representing a loan to a government or company, which pays interest and repays the original amount later.
"She invested her savings in government bonds."
"The company issued bonds to raise money for expansion."
"A ten-year bond pays a fixed rate of interest every year."
2
An emotional connection or tie between people.
"The two sisters share an unbreakable bond."
"Training together every day created a strong bond among the recruits."
"There was a deep bond of trust between the old friends."
3
A binding legal agreement, or a sum of money paid as a guarantee.
"He posted bond to be released before his trial."
"The tenant paid a bond of one month's rent before moving in."
"The court set a bond so the defendant could stay at home until the hearing."
verb
1
To form a close connection with someone, or to join two things firmly together.
"The new colleagues bonded over their shared love of hiking."
"The adhesive bonds the tiles to the wall permanently."
"Puppies and children often bond quickly when they play together."
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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
form a bond
issue a bond
bond over something
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like bond.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- bonds
- Third person singular
- bonds
- Past tense
- bonded
- Comparative
- more bond
- Superlative
- most bond
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
View more →Related words
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include bond:
