binding

American  

[bahyn-ding] / ˈbaɪn dɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of fastening, securing, uniting, or the like.

2. anything that binds.

3. the covering within which the leaves of a book are bound.

4. a strip of material that protects or decorates the edge of a tablecloth, rug, etc.

5. Skiing. a mechanical device on a ski, usually made of metal, that fastens the boot securely to the ski.

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adjective

1. that binds; restrictive.

2. having power to bind or oblige; obligatory.

   a binding promise.

binding British  

/ ˈbaɪndɪŋ /

noun

1. anything that binds or fastens

2. the covering within which the pages of a book are bound

3. the material or tape used for binding hems, etc

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adjective

1. imposing an obligation or duty

   a binding promise

2. causing hindrance; restrictive

Other Word Forms

• bindingly
  adverb
• bindingness
  noun
• nonbinding
  adjective
• nonbindingly
  adverb
• nonbindingness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of binding

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at bind, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Binding the country together efficiently and relatively inexpensively from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans in the latter half of the 19th century, railroads rendered the National Road effectively obsolete.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

"Our first customer order was for Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh, a rugby romance," she said, adding: "Since day one, we've had people ask for Heated Rivalry."

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

Binding regulation for AI is not among the summit’s goals.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 2, 2023

Binding the scene together is a thread of blue-white light that connects the two figures but that also seems to track William’s motions through time and space.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2023

There was space for our signatures, and the seal of Ida B’s Completely Just and Forever Binding Legal Services in the lower righthand corner.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Related Words

• conclusive
• irrevocable
• mandatory
• required