bind
verb (transitive)
UK/baɪnd/US/baɪnd/
To tie or secure something with a band, rope, or other fastening; to impose a legal or moral obligation on someone; to unite or bring together different elements into a whole.
Example Sentences
She used a length of rope to bind the stack of newspapers before recycling day.
The legal contract will bind both parties to their agreed terms and conditions.
In some crafts, you need special materials to bind books securely so they can withstand regular use.
They must bind the cables with zip ties to keep the server room safe and neatly organized.
The shared experiences of the group will bind its members together, strengthening their friendship over time.
Parents often feel duty-bound to provide for their children, which can bind their finances in ways they never anticipated.
Team-building exercises can bind colleagues more closely, creating an atmosphere of trust and collaboration that transcends normal work relationships and enhances overall productivity.
When planning a ceremony, cultural traditions often bind the community in a sense of heritage and continuity, providing a meaningful collective identity that resonates across generations.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Attach, secure, or unite, often causing restriction or obligation.“Bind” generally means fastening objects or people so they’re held or constrained in a particular way. You might come across it in various contexts: physically tying something with ropes or straps, legally obligating someone through contracts, or emotionally linking individuals through shared promises.In the physical sense, “bind” often involves a durable method of fastening—like using tape, cords, or adhesives. In the case of books, to “bind” means to secure the pages and cover together. For example, you can say, “He used heavy rope to bind the packages for shipping,” emphasizing a sturdy connection.Legally, “bind” shows up in phrases like “legally bound” or “bound by contract.” This usage conveys an obligation or agreement that compels parties to fulfill certain terms. For instance, “They were bound by a non-disclosure agreement” means they must not reveal confidential information. In conversation, you may hear someone say, “We’re bound by these rules,” highlighting that the individuals have to abide by a set of regulations.Social and emotional contexts allow “bind” to represent interpersonal bonds. Phrases like “bound by friendship” describe a deep sense of loyalty, while “family ties bind us together” suggests lasting emotional connections. Such non-physical uses emphasize intangible links—commitment, allegiance, and unity—that hold people to one another.When writing or speaking formally, “bind” can underscore the seriousness of a situation. For example, “This treaty binds both nations to maintain peaceful relations.” In casual conversation, it might be more direct and straightforward: “I need something to bind these wires together before they get tangled.” Regardless of the setting, the essence of “bind” remains the same—bringing parts together in a way that holds them fast, whether physically, legally, or metaphorically.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid using “bind” repeatedly or need slightly different nuances, there are several alternatives to consider. “Tie” is a common choice for physical fastening, especially when describing a quick or casual action (“Tie the rope around the bag”). “Fasten,” meanwhile, implies a secure closure—like fastening a seat belt or fastening an object to a surface.For contractual or legal contexts, “obligate” or “commit” might be more precise, clarifying that someone is bound by an agreement. If you’re describing emotional or social connections, “unite” or “bond” carry gentler connotations of shared closeness rather than compulsion. “Bond” often suggests a mutually beneficial connection and is widely used in personal or interpersonal contexts—“They bonded over their shared hobbies.”In creative or poetic writing, “fuse” can highlight a strong, permanent merging, while “link” or “couple” can capture the simpler act of joining together. If you’re discussing long-term alliances or enduring obligations, “conjoin” might work in more formal or literary pieces. By choosing different synonyms, you can better match the tone, context, and degree of force or permanency implied by “bind.” These options help diversify your language while still conveying a fundamental idea of fastening or connecting.
Writing
When writing with “bind” as a central theme or reference, start by making clear the nature of the binding—physical, contractual, emotional, or otherwise—so your readers immediately grasp its significance. If your focus is on concrete actions, like binding items together, detail the materials or methods used. For instance, “Silk ribbons bound the stack of old letters, preserving their fragile beauty.” Descriptions of textures, appearances, and reasons for binding can add vividness.In legal or formal writing, precision is essential. If you’re discussing how contracts bind parties, specify the terms, possible penalties for violation, and the overarching implications. For example, “The clause in Section 12 binds the seller to a five-year non-compete agreement, preventing them from operating a similar business.” Such details demonstrate your understanding of the law and underscore the seriousness of the binding nature.Should you explore emotional or social bonds, use language that captures both the intimacy and the commitment involved. You could describe how family ties bind characters in a novel, revealing the power of loyalty or tradition. For instance, “Though they lived apart for decades, their shared childhood memories bound them more tightly than ever when they reunited.” These emotional contexts bring depth to your writing, showing that “bind” can work on multiple levels—tangible and intangible.Pay attention to tone and clarity. In straightforward instructions, “bind” can be matter-of-fact: “Bind the edges of the fabric with bias tape to prevent fraying.” In narrative or reflective pieces, layering detail—why, how, and with what consequence—creates resonance, allowing readers to feel the strength of the bond. By refining your usage of “bind” through context, descriptive details, and tone, you deliver writing that is both precise and engaging.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “bind” usually pops up when you’re talking about tying things together or being stuck in an obligation. For instance, if your friend needs help with a pile of loose items, you might say, “I’ve got some rope if you need to bind them up so they don’t fall over.” It’s casual, simple, and gets the point across without a lot of fanfare.You might also hear it in laid-back discussions about commitments. For example, “I’m bound by these new office policies, so I can’t work from home anymore.” It sounds slightly more formal than “I have to follow the rules,” but it emphasizes that the person has no choice in the matter. This usage can be a bit sarcastic or exasperated in tone, like someone acknowledging a constraint they’re not exactly happy about.In relationships, “bind” can come up metaphorically. You might hear a parent say, “Our shared experiences really bind us as a family,” underlining that they feel closer because of everything they’ve been through together. A friend might quip, “Our mutual love of pizza binds us for life!” in a humorous way. In these scenarios, “bind” shows closeness or unity, but it’s not the kind of language you’d use for trivial matters unless you’re going for that joking or whimsical tone.Sometimes, “bind” might surface when you’re stuck in a predicament: “I’m in a real bind—I forgot my wallet and need gas money!” This phrasing is less about tying something physically and more about an urgent or tricky situation. Generally, though, casual speech doesn’t dwell heavily on “bind,” so it stays short and sweet whenever it’s used—just enough to clarify you’re talking about holding something together, following a rule, or being stuck in a difficult spot.
Etymology
The verb “bind” can be traced back to Old English “bindan,” which stems from the Proto-Germanic *bindaną. Similar forms appear across Germanic languages, including Dutch (binden) and German (binden), all retaining the core meaning of tying or fastening. In earlier centuries, “bind” typically referred to physically securing objects—like binding sheaves of grain after a harvest.As legal and societal structures grew more complex, “bind” expanded to describe figurative constraints, such as being legally or morally bound by an agreement. Medieval usage sometimes carried this dual sense, applying both to physical restraints (for prisoners, goods, or animals) and intangible obligations (loyalty, fealty, or contractual terms). Over time, literary texts and religious contexts also adopted “bind” to denote vows or spiritual commitments, deepening the word’s metaphorical significance.By the modern era, “bind” found comfortable footing in a wide range of applications. From binding books—an established craft that once involved sewing pages by hand—to binding people through personal or legal ties, the root idea of being fastened or obliged has remained intact. Although digital formats and changing social norms might make binding less physically common than in earlier times, the word remains vital. It appears in everything from everyday speech to major legislative documents, each time calling back to its timeless notion of holding or uniting elements firmly together.
