to force (an object, especially a long or thin one) from a straight form into a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form.
to bend an iron rod into a hoop.
to direct or turn in a particular direction.
to bend one's energies to the task.
to cause to submit or yield.
to bend someone to one's will.
to modify or relax (restrictions, regulations, etc.) temporarily or in certain circumstances.
to bend the rules.
to incline mentally (usually followed by to ortoward ).
bending his thoughts back toward his childhood.
to pull back the string of (a bow or the like) in preparation for shooting.
Nautical. to fasten.
Archaic. to strain or brace tensely (often followed byup ).
to become curved, crooked, or bent.
a bow that bends easily.
to assume a bent posture; stoop (often followed byover ).
to bend as one walks;
to bend over and pick up something.
to turn or incline in a particular direction; be directed.
The road bent toward the south.
to yield or submit; give in.
to bow in submission or reverence.
bending to one's monarch.
to direct one's energies.
We bent to our work as the bell sounded.
the act of bending.
something that bends; curve; crook.
a bend in the road;
a bend in the curtain rod.
Nautical. any of various loops or knots for joining the ends of two ropes or the like, or for joining the end of a rope or the like to some other object.
Nautical. bends,
thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel.
the wales of a vessel.
the bends, aeroembolism.
Heraldry.
a diagonal band extending from the dexter chief of an escutcheon to the sinister base.
in bend, (of a charge) set diagonally or in a diagonal row.
Tanning. half of a trimmed butt or hide.
to form or cause to form a curve, as by pushing or pulling
to turn or cause to turn from a particular direction
the road bends left past the church
(intr; often foll by down, etc) to incline the body; stoop; bow
to submit or cause to submit
to bend before superior force
(tr) to turn or direct (one's eyes, steps, attention, etc)
(tr) to concentrate (the mind); apply oneself closely
(tr) nautical to attach or fasten, as a sail to a boom or a line to a cleat
informal to make a special effort, esp in order to please
he bends over backwards to accommodate his customers
informal to speak at length to an unwilling listener, esp to voice one's troubles
informal to ignore rules or change them to suit one's own convenience
a curved part, as in a road or river
nautical a knot or eye in a line for joining it to another or to an object
the act or state of bending
slang mad; crazy; eccentric
What is a basic definition of bend? Bend means to make something change its shape from straight to curved or to make someone submit. A bend is a curve or a turn. The word bend has several other senses as a verb and a noun. If you bend something that is straight, you are forcing it into a curve or an angle. If you bend a drinking straw, for example, you are using your hands to force it to curve or to slant. If you bend something too far, it may snap or break. Something or someone that bends is a bender.
Armando bent to her demands because he had no other choice.
Bend, bow, stoop imply taking a bent posture. Bend and bow are used of the head and upper body; stoop is used of the body only.
First recorded before 1000; Middle English verb benden, binde, Old English bendan “to bind, bend (a bow)”; cognate with Middle High German benden, Old Norse benda; akin to Old Norse band “band, cord, confederacy”; see band 3
First recorded before 1000; Middle English adjective bende; blend of Old English bend “band, fetter” and Middle French bende ( Medieval Latin benda, binda ); band 2, band 3
To bend is to curve. You can bend physically, as when you practice yoga, and also figuratively, the way you do when you "bend over backwards," working hard to make something happen, especially on behalf of another person. Tree trunks and branches are able to bend when they're whipped by strong wind — this way, they're usually able to avoid breaking. A bend in the road is a curve, and to bend the rules is to change them slightly in a specific instance. If you try to do a backbend, you have to arch or bend your spine and lean back until her head hangs down and your hands touch the floor. It's a move for the young and flexible. The Old English root, bendan, specifically referred to bending or stretching a bow.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In recent days, there have been public fissures between Iran’s civilian leadership and military hard-liners in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps over how much to bend to U.S. demands.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
As the jets expand outward, they are forced to bend and twist as they interact with this dense environment.
From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026
The need to bend people to one’s will with raised voices and anger is not a quality one should seek or appreciate in a partner.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026
Players hired stylists to bend the NBA's rules as much as possible to still incorporate streetwear looks and showcase their own personal fashion sense.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
I bend over to pick a few grains of sand from under my toes.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
