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

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

The plan is not binding but serves as a statement of the administration's priorities as Congress begins drafting spending legislation, with lawmakers retaining the power to rewrite or reject it.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 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

It was clearly an old book, with a binding that had been mended more than once and with several pages dog-eared throughout.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Related Words

• conclusive
• irrevocable
• mandatory
• required