bend

[ bend ]

/ bɛnd /

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verb (used with object), bent or (Archaic) bend·ed; bend·ing.

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 or toward): 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 by up).

verb (used without object), bent or (Archaic) bend·ed; bend·ing.

to become curved, crooked, or bent: a bow that bends easily.

to assume a bent posture; stoop (often followed by over): 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.

noun

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.

bends, Nautical.

thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel.
the wales of a vessel.

the bends, aeroembolism (def. 2).

OTHER WORDS FOR bend

1 curve, crook, flex, bow.

3 influence. mold, shape; compel, persuade, sway.

See synonyms for bend on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about bend

around / round the bend, Slang. insane; crazy: These interruptions will send me round the bend!

bend / lean / fall over backward, to exert oneself to the utmost; make a serious effort: They bent over backward to make sure their guests were comfortable.

Origin of bend

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 band³

synonym study for bend

10. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM bend

bend·a·ble, adjectivenon·bend·ing, adjectivere·bend·a·ble, adjective

Other definitions for bend (2 of 3)

bend²

[ bend ]

/ bɛnd /

noun

Heraldry.

a diagonal band extending from the dexter chief of an escutcheon to the sinister base.Compare bend sinister.
in bend, (of a charge) set diagonally or in a diagonal row.

Tanning. half of a trimmed butt or hide.

Origin of bend

First recorded before 1000; Middle English adjective bende; blend of Old English bend “band, fetter” and Middle French bende (Medieval Latin benda, binda ); see band², band³

Other definitions for bend (3 of 3)

Bend

[ bend ]

/ bɛnd /

noun

a city in central Oregon.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bend in a sentence

Generally speaking, an MBA has more of a theoretical bend, while a master’s in marketing has a more practical approach.
The advanced marketing degree has become a remote-work option for marketers|Trevor Grigoruk|February 18, 2021|Digiday
Finally, around a bend close to where Gow’s increasingly cloudy mind placed the mobile home, stood a man.
How One Man Survived a Plane Crash and 5 Days in the Snowy Canadian Wilderness—and Went On to Help Shape the Modern Ski Industry|Cassidy Randall|December 27, 2020|Time
It was made of very thin, bendable silver, looked like a piece of wire.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview|Alex Belth|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who was that lithe, bendable gymnast setting alight the Olympic flame?
Meet Putin’s Olympic Torch-Lighting Paramour|Lizzie Crocker|February 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The fact is that Putin has never publically acknowledged his rumored relationship with the lithe, bendable Kabaeva.
Meet Putin’s Olympic Torch-Lighting Paramour|Lizzie Crocker|February 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It all ties in with Mr. Damon's so-called relatives, and their knowledge of my formula for a bendable glass.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope|Victor Appleton
You know, I got the idea for bendable glass while I was trying to figure out a way to make a huge telescope mirror.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope|Victor Appleton
"I had hoped your new bendable glass would more than repay the cost of your telescope," grumbled Ned.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope|Victor Appleton
The fugitive crook, Hammer, had finally been nabbed, still with the formula for the bendable glass in his possession.
Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope|Victor Appleton
Moderate heat will easily make the stoutest girder we have used bendable, while the sheets require only the gentlest pressure.
The Great Airship.|F. S. Brereton

British Dictionary definitions for bend (1 of 2)

bend¹

/ (bɛnd) /

verb bends, bending or bent

to form or cause to form a curve, as by pushing or pulling

to turn or cause to turn from a particular directionthe road bends left past the church

(intr; often foll by down , etc) to incline the body; stoop; bow

to submit or cause to submitto 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

bend over backwards informal to make a special effort, esp in order to pleasehe bends over backwards to accommodate his customers

bend someone's ear informal to speak at length to an unwilling listener, esp to voice one's troubles

bend the rules informal to ignore rules or change them to suit one's own convenience

noun

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

round the bend British slang mad; crazy; eccentric

Derived forms of bend

bendable, adjective

Word Origin for bend

Old English bendan; related to Old Norse benda, Middle High German benden; see bind, band ³

British Dictionary definitions for bend (2 of 2)

bend²

/ (bɛnd) /

noun

heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal line traversing a shield

Word Origin for bend

Old English bend band ²; see bend 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with bend

bend

In addition to the idioms beginning with bend

bend one's elbow
bend over backwards
bend someone's ear

also see:

around the bend
crook (bend) one's elbow
on bended knee

Also see underbent.

bend

OTHER WORDS FOR bend

Idioms about bend

Origin of bend

synonym study for bend

OTHER WORDS FROM bend

Other definitions for bend (2 of 3)

Origin of bend

Other definitions for bend (3 of 3)

Words related to bend

How to use bend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bend (1 of 2)

Derived forms of bend

Word Origin for bend

British Dictionary definitions for bend (2 of 2)

Word Origin for bend

Other Idioms and Phrases with bend