Meaning & use
bind
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To tie something or someone with rope or a similar material so that it cannot move freely.
Grammar: Takes an object: bind the package with string.
Patterns
- bind something with something
- bind someone to something
The sailor bound the two logs together with rope.
They bound his hands behind his back.
She bound the bundle of letters with a ribbon.
verbtransitiveformal
To create a legal or moral duty that someone must obey.
Grammar: Often in the passive: be bound by a contract.
Patterns
- bind someone to something
- be bound by something
The contract binds both companies for five years.
He felt bound by his promise to his mother.
The agreement is legally binding on all members.
verbtransitive
To join people or things closely so that they stay united.
Grammar: Takes an object: shared hardship binds people together.
Patterns
- bind people together
- bind someone to someone
A love of music bound the two friends together.
Shared struggles bind the community.
Glue binds the pages to the spine.
nounusually singularinformal
An awkward or annoying situation from which it is difficult to escape.
Grammar: Used with a: I'm in a bind.
Patterns
- in a bind
- be a bind
I'm in a bind because I lost my keys and my ride is here.
The budget cut put the school in a bind.
It is a bind having to work every weekend.
Word forms
| third person singular | binds |
|---|---|
| past tense | bound |
| past participle | bound |
| -ing form | binding |
| plural | binds |
Common combinations
- bind together
- The rope bound the planks together.
- legally binding
- The agreement is legally binding.
- bound by a promise
- I am bound by my promise to keep the secret.
- in a bind
- Can you lend me money? I am in a bind.
- bind a book
- The shop will bind your thesis in leather.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tie
- Tie is the everyday word for fastening with string, while bind implies holding tightly or tying around many things.
- oblige
- Oblige means to require someone to do something and sounds more polite than bind.
- unite
- Unite means to join in a common aim, whereas bind can also describe force or duty.
- fasten
- Fasten means to attach something firmly, often with a clip or button, but does not imply wrapping around.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: bind or bound?
bind vs bound
Bound is the past tense of bind but is also a verb meaning to leap and an adjective meaning headed somewhere; context decides.
Practice
What is the past tense of 'bind' in 'They ___ the books with string'?
Choose one answer.
Bind is irregular, so its past tense is bound. Bounded is tempting but is the past tense of bound meaning to leap or to limit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bind”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.