bound
Looking for the meaning of bound? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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To tie; to confine by any ligature.
To cohere or stick together in a mass.
“Just to make the cheese more binding”
To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
“I wish I knew why the sewing machine binds up after I use it for a while.”
To exert a binding or restraining influence.
“These are the ties that bind.”
To tie or fasten tightly together, with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.
“to bind grain in bundles to bind a prisoner”
To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind.
“Frost binds the earth.”
To couple.
To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other social tie.
“to bind the conscience to bind by kindness bound by affection commerce binds nations to each other”
To put (a person) under definite legal obligations, especially, under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
To place under legal obligation to serve.
“to bind an apprentice bound out to service”
To protect or strengthen by applying a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
To make fast (a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something.
“to bind a belt about one to bind a compress upon a wound”
To cover, as with a bandage.
“to bind up a wound”
To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action, as by producing constipation.
“Certain drugs bind the bowels.”
To put together in a cover, as of books.
“The three novels were bound together.”
To make two or more elements stick together.
To associate an identifier with a value; to associate a variable name, method name, etc. with the content of a storage location.
To complain; to whine about something.
(with infinitive) Obliged (to).
“You are not legally bound to reply.”
(of a morpheme) That cannot stand alone as a free word.
(of a variable) Constrained by a quantifier.
Constipated; costive.
Confined or restricted to a certain place; e.g. railbound.
Unable to move in certain conditions; e.g. snowbound.
Understanding "bound"
The word **"bound"** is a **verb** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈbaʊnd/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"bound"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "bound" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a verb, the term "bound" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "bound" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈbaʊnd/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "bound" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "bound" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a verb. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "bound" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "bound". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈbaʊnd/), part of speech (verb), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "bound" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use bound in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "bound" can be used in academic and casual conversations.