binding

[ bahyn-ding ]

/ ˈbaɪn dɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR binding ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

anything that binds.

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

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

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

adjective

that binds; restrictive.

having power to bind or oblige; obligatory: a binding promise.

Nearby words

binder twine, bindery, bindheimite, bindi, bindi-eye, binding, binding energy, binding post, binding rafter, binding strake, bindle

Origin of binding

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at bind, -ing¹, -ing²

Related forms

bind·ing·ly, adverbbind·ing·ness, nounnon·bind·ing, adjectivenon·bind·ing·ly, adverb

non·bind·ing·ness, noun

Definition for binding (2 of 2)

bind

[ bahynd ]

/ baɪnd /

verb (used with object), bound, bind·ing.

to fasten or secure with a band or bond.

to encircle with a band or ligature: She bound her hair with a ribbon.

to swathe or bandage (often followed by up): to bind up one's wounds.

to fasten around; fix in place by girding: They bound his hands behind him.

to tie up (anything, as sheaves of grain).

to cause to cohere: Ice bound the soil.

to unite by any legal or moral tie: to be bound by a contract.

to hold to a particular state, place, employment, etc.: Business kept him bound to the city.

to place under obligation or compulsion (usually used passively): We are bound by good sense to obey the country's laws.

Law. to put under legal obligation, as to keep the peace or appear as a witness (often followed by over): This action binds them to keep the peace. He was bound over to the grand jury.

to make compulsory or obligatory: to bind the order with a deposit.

to fasten or secure within a cover, as a book: They will bind the new book in leather.

to cover the edge of, as for protection or ornament: to bind a carpet.

(of clothing) to chafe or restrict (the wearer): This shirt binds me under the arms.

Medicine/Medical. to hinder or restrain (the bowels) from their natural operations; constipate.

to indenture as an apprentice (often followed by out): In his youth his father bound him to a blacksmith.

verb (used without object), bound, bind·ing.

to become compact or solid; cohere.

to be obligatory: an obligation that binds.

to chafe or restrict, as poorly fitting garments: This jacket binds through the shoulders.

to stick fast, as a drill in a hole.

Falconry. (of a hawk) to grapple or grasp prey firmly in flight.

noun

the act or process of binding; the state or instance of being bound.

something that binds.

Music. a tie, slur, or brace.

Falconry. the act of binding prey in flight.

Informal. a difficult situation or predicament: This schedule has us in a bind.

Verb Phrases

bind off, Textiles. to loop (one stitch) over another in making an edge on knitted fabric.

Origin of bind

before 1000; Middle English binden (v.), Old English bindan; cognate with Old High German bintan, Old Norse binda, Gothic bindan, Sanskrit bandhati (he) binds

SYNONYMS FOR bind

1 gird, attach, tie.

2 confine, restrain.

9 engage, oblige, obligate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bind ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR bind

1 untie.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR bind ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

bind·a·ble, adjectivemis·bind, verb, mis·bound, mis·bind·ing.re·bind, verb, re·bound, re·bind·ing.

Can be confused

bind bound

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for binding

Binding the resolution of my case to progress in the nuclear negotiations is profoundly unjust.
An American Marine in Iran’s Prisons Goes on Hunger Strike|IranWire|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That ruling is binding law in the United States, no matter what the former vice president says.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Dec. 14|PunditFact.com|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While a good start, some security experts say the guidelines should be binding.
How Your Pacemaker Will Get Hacked|Kaiser Health News|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Next, Labour established, in law, binding Sharia tribunals that Muslims could attend instead of normal British courts.
How Britain Made James Foley's Killer|Louise Mensch|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“For any agreement to be binding under the Iraqi constitution, it had to be approved by the Iraqi parliament,” Kahl wrote.
Obama’s New, Undeclared Iraq War|Eli Lake|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, why don't I feel the electricity when I touch the binding posts of this dry cell?
The Library of Work and Play: Electricity and Its Everyday Uses|John F. Woodhull
Messrs. Methuen are now publishing popular Novels in a new and most charming style of binding.
A Catalogue of Books and Announcements of Methuen and Company, October 1902|Methuen and Company
Finish by tacking a handsome fringe all round the cushion, so as to conceal the binding.
Miss Leslie's Lady's New Receipt-Book|Eliza Leslie
Meantime, it is binding upon the National and State Governments and all our inhabitants.
State of the Union Addresses of Calvin Coolidge|Calvin Coolidge
The felspar or China stone furnish the fluxing ingredients for fusing and binding.
Pottery, for Artists Craftsmen & Teachers|George J. Cox

British Dictionary definitions for binding (1 of 2)

binding

/ (ˈbaɪndɪŋ) /

noun

anything that binds or fastens

the covering within which the pages of a book are bound

the material or tape used for binding hems, etc

adjective

imposing an obligation or dutya binding promise

causing hindrance; restrictive

British Dictionary definitions for binding (2 of 2)

bind

/ (baɪnd) /

verb binds, binding or bound

to make or become fast or secure with or as if with a tie or band

(tr often foll by up) to encircle or enclose with a bandto bind the hair

(tr) to place (someone) under obligation; oblige

(tr) to impose legal obligations or duties upon (a person or party to an agreement)

(tr) to make (a bargain, agreement, etc) irrevocable; seal

(tr) to restrain or confine with or as if with ties, as of responsibility or loyalty

(tr) to place under certain constraints; govern

(tr often foll by up) to bandage or swatheto bind a wound

to cohere or stick or cause to cohere or stickegg binds fat and flour

to make or become compact, stiff, or hardfrost binds the earth

(tr) to enclose and fasten (the pages of a book) between covers
(intr) (of a book) to undergo this process

(tr) to provide (a garment, hem, etc) with a border or edging, as for decoration or to prevent fraying

(tr; sometimes foll by out or over) to employ as an apprentice; indenture

(intr) slang to complain

(tr) logic to bring (a variable) into the scope of an appropriate quantifierSee also bound 1 (def. 9)

noun

something that binds

the act of binding or state of being bound

informal a difficult or annoying situation

another word for bine

music another word for tie (def. 17)

mining clay between layers of coal

fencing a pushing movement with the blade made to force one's opponent's sword from one line into another

chess a position in which one player's pawns have a hold on the centre that makes it difficult for the opponent to advance there

Word Origin for bind

Old English bindan; related to Old Norse binda, Old High German bintan, Latin offendix band ², Sanskrit badhnāti he binds

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

Science definitions for binding

bind

[ bīnd ]

To combine with, form a bond with, or be taken up by a chemical or chemical structure. An enzyme, for example, is structured in such a way as to be able to bind with its substrate.

Idioms and Phrases with binding

bind

In addition to the idioms beginning with bind

bind hand and foot
bind over

also see:

in a bind

Also see underbound.