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.

---

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

---

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; bind, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Organon stock jumps on a report that Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has submitted a binding $12 billion bid for the company.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

If you stop these proteins from binding to chromatin, you can shut down the machinery that activates cancer-driving genes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

I don’t think we know the answer to that, but one of the reasons why the OLC is so influential is its opinions are sort of treated as binding within the executive branch.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

He did say the company had a “tenant pipeline” that has strengthened since February, and expects to “execute binding tenant agreements” — plural — over the next 12 months.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

She untied a bandanna from her overall strap and wrapped it around his foot, binding it with a second scarf so that it felt secure.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker

Related Words

• conclusive
• irrevocable
• mandatory
• required