- present participle of bond.
bonding
Americannoun
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Psychology, Animal Behavior.
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a relationship that usually begins at the time of birth between a parent and offspring and that establishes the basis for an ongoing mutual attachment.
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the establishment of a pair bond.
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a close friendship that develops between adults, often as a result of intense experiences, as those shared in military combat.
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Dentistry. a technique or procedure for restoring the discolored or damaged surface of a tooth by coating it with a highly durable resinous material that adheres to the existing enamel.
noun
Etymology
Origin of bonding
First recorded in 1670–80, for an earlier sense; bond 1 + -ing 1
Explanation
Bonding is what happens when you develop a close emotional connection with another person, or when two things are fastened together. Touching your tongue to a frozen flagpole is one way of bonding, though this is not recommended. When a baby hippo in the zoo snuggles up to her mother, bonding is happening. And though it may not seem like it, even sitting for hours in the backseat with your annoying little brother is a kind of bonding, or building a relationship through constant contact. In addition to this emotional bonding, there's a physical kind of bonding, like when you superglue a quarter to the floor to trick your little brother.
Vocabulary lists containing bonding
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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Half a World Away
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for March 16–March 22, 2024
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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.
Aaron Rodgers recently posted photos to Instagram of himself bonding with his parents and one of his brothers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
The measurements revealed that the strong bonding between the membranes does more than simply hold them together.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026
Isa's comments section filled with people bonding over similar experiences of living alone or having no friends, and finding comfort in "feeling seen".
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
Americans, particularly young professionals, seem less interested in bonding with co-workers, as evidenced by the decline of happy hours.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The reporter asked a glowing Ms. Owens questions, her answers filled with words like bonding, welcoming, trusting.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
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.
