bend

[ bend ]

/ bɛnd /

Save This Word!

Definition of bend

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

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 2022

How to use bend in a sentence

In cold weather, the heat produced by this process, along with the wearer’s body heat, is trapped in pockets created by the natural chaos of wool’s kinks and bends.
The Kora Xenolith Is My Secret Weapon Against the Cold|Wes Siler|February 2, 2021|Outside Online
Made from extremely strong titanium, this trowel has well-designed serrated edges, an ergonomic grip, a U-shaped bend, and a rounded handle so you can dig with ease in any terrain.
The best trowels for your on the go needs|PopSci Commerce Team|January 20, 2021|Popular-Science
He and his colleagues found that, within the lasso loop, the tree snakes form subtle sideways bends.
These snakes wiggle up smooth poles by turning their bodies into ‘lassoes’|Kate Baggaley|January 13, 2021|Popular-Science
I also jumped on the season, taking advantage of this winter’s storms to explore cross-country ski areas along part of the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, which snakes into the mountains near my house in Bend.
Local cross-country skiing can smooth a bumpy winter’s ups and downs|Erin E. Williams|January 7, 2021|Washington Post

The 30-minute stretch of road north from Bend to Sisters is rife with snowshoeing, sledding and fishing.
The best winter road trips for RVs, from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the Florida Keys|Heather Balogh Rochfort|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
But contemporary classical music has changed, and the field is now spawning many appealing and genre-bending works.
The Best Albums of 2014|Ted Gioia|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He majored in mathematical physics, studying mind-bending theories of quantum mechanics and partial differential equations.
How the NSA Became a Killing Machine|Shane Harris|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He looked out and “saw this fellow bending over this girl and she was in a kneeling position.”
The Myth of the Central Park Five|Edward Conlon|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the game sticks to interactivity and can keep the time-bending gameplay fresh, then it will be a success regardless.
Gamers Want to Game: Video Games Aren't Blockbuster Movies|Alec Kubas-Meyer|August 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this light, shutting down the Government rather than bending on legislation becomes a moral imperative.
The Tea Party Isn’t a Political Movement, It’s a Religious One|Jack Schwartz|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ollie saw someone standing before it, bending slightly forward in the pose of expectation.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
He stood aside, and bending from the waist he made a sweeping gesture towards the door with the hand that held his hat.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Then Edwin was bending over it, with his ear close to her ear, and the sleeve of his overcoat touching her sleeve.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
A brilliant blaze of lightning showed him the unmistakable figure of the Black Hood bending over the body of Joseph, the watchman.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
This bending of the tuning wires, however, takes place to a much larger extent than most organ builders imagine.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller

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

Medical definitions for bend

bend

[ bĕnd ]

To incline the body; stoop.

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

Definition of 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

Medical definitions for bend

Other Idioms and Phrases with bend