binding
Americannoun
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the act of fastening, securing, uniting, or the like.
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anything that binds.
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the covering within which the leaves of a book are bound. bound.
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a strip of material that protects or decorates the edge of a tablecloth, rug, etc.
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Skiing. a mechanical device on a ski, usually made of metal, that fastens the boot securely to the ski.
noun
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anything that binds or fastens
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the covering within which the pages of a book are bound
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the material or tape used for binding hems, etc
adjective
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imposing an obligation or duty
a binding promise
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Chief among them is getting the right mix of calcium oxide and its proprietary binding agent, so the pellets effectively store energy while holding their shape over many charge-discharge cycles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
Then, he pursued assorted careers in indie publishing, urban planning and entrepreneurial research before conclusively binding himself to a literary life.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
The agreement is not legally binding, but is the first such agreement between a federal agency and sports league.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
It was navy blue with white leather binding, like half a dozen other suitcases that had just been carried off the train.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
