Bind — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈbīnd/

Meaning & Definition of Bind

Bind (verb)

  1. to make secure by tying
  2. to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds
  3. to put under an obligation

Bind (noun)

  1. something that binds
  2. the act of binding, the state of being bound
  3. a place where binding occurs

Bind (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to confine or restrain with or as if with chains

    "prisons tend to bind convicted criminals for transport"

    similar: chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammel
    related: bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss, attach, fasten, join, link, confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede, limit, restrict, entangle, tangle
    opposite: unbind, unfetter, unshackle
    near: emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue, undo, unfasten, untangle, untie, detach, disengage

  2. to cover with a bandage

    "bind the wound to stop the bleeding"

    similar: bandage, dress, swathe
    related: attend, care (for), doctor, medicate, minister (to), nurse, treat, cure, heal, mend, rehabilitate, remedy
    near: unbandage, uncover, unwrap

  3. to gather into a tight mass by means of a line or cord

    "bind the asparagus spears carefully before packing the bunches"

    similar: band, tie, truss
    related: cinch, cord, rope, strap, thread, wire, gird, girt, lash, leash, tether, interlace, intertwine, interweave, lace, entangle, knot, snarl, tangle, twist, coil, wind
    opposite: unbind, untie
    near: undo, unfasten, unlace, unlash, unloose, unloosen, unstrap, unstring, unthread, unleash, untether, disentangle, unravel, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist, uncoil, unspool, unwind

Bind (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape

    "with our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind"

    similar: box, catch-22, corner, dilemma, fix, hole, impasse, jackpot (chiefly West), jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, rabbit hole, rattrap, spot, sticky wicket, swamp, kettle of fish
    related: difficulty, node, hot water, soup, pinch, plight, quandary, scrape, trouble, deadlock, halt, logjam, stalemate, standstill, clutch, crisis, crossroad, emergency, exigency, juncture, strait

  2. something that physically prevents free movement

    "the store owner held the would-be burglar in a makeshift bind until the police officers could arrive"

    similar: band, bond, bracelet, chain, cuff(s), fetter, handcuff(s), irons, ligature, manacle(s), shackle
    related: captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction, entanglement, net, trammel, trap, collar, straitjacket, fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie

Related Entry: Double bind (noun)

Double bind is a different word from Bind. The synonyms below are for double bind, not for bind.

  1. a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices

    "the double bind faced by every politician: responding to scurrilous charges only gives them unwarranted publicity; not responding to such charges is often interpreted as an admission of guilt"

    similar: catch-22, dilemma, quandary
    related: deadlock, impasse, quagmire, stalemate, standoff, knot, problem, bind, difficulty, fix, hole, jam, pickle, pinch, plight, predicament, spot
    near: breeze, cinch, duck soup, snap

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bind

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bind:

Chiefly West: jackpot
chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammel, bandage, dress, swathe, band, tie, truss, box, catch-22, corner, dilemma, fix, hole, impasse, jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, rabbit hole, rattrap, spot, sticky wicket, swamp, bond, bracelet, cuff(s), handcuff(s), irons, ligature, manacle(s)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bind

Words with the opposite meaning of Bind:

unbind, unfetter, unshackle, untie

Related Words for Bind

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, attach, fasten, join, link, confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede, limit, restrict, entangle, tangle, attend, care (for), doctor, medicate, minister (to), nurse, treat, cure, heal, mend

Near Antonyms of Bind

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue, undo, unfasten, untangle, detach, disengage, unbandage, uncover, unwrap, unlace, unlash, unloose, unloosen, unstrap, unstring, unthread, unleash, untether, disentangle, unravel, unsnarl, untwine, untwist, uncoil, unspool

Word Forms of Bind

Inflections: bound, binding

Origin & Etymology of Bind

Middle English, from Old English bindan; akin to Old High German bintan to bind, Greek peisma cable, Sanskrit badhnāti he ties

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Bind

Words & Phrases Containing Bind

bind off, bind over, double bind, in a bind

Frequently Asked Questions about Bind

What does "Bind" mean?

"Bind" means to make secure by tying. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make secure by tying. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bind"?

Other words for "Bind" include chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle and pinion. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bind" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bind"?

There are 134 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bind". Common alternatives include chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle and trammel.

What is the opposite of "Bind"?

Antonyms of "Bind" include unbind, unfetter, unshackle and untie. Near antonyms include emancipate, free, liberate and loose.

How do you use "Bind" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bind" in a sentence: "prisons tend to bind convicted criminals for transport"; "bind the wound to stop the bleeding"; "bind the asparagus spears carefully before packing the bunches".

Is "Bind" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bind" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Bind" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Bind" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Bind"?

"Bind" is pronounced /ˈbīnd/.