WordGarden.iobond
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɒnd/
US
- /ˈbɑnd/
Meanings
Noun
a close personal connection or feeling of trust between people
a debt investment issued by a government or company and repaid with interest
the force or link that holds atoms or molecules together
More meaningsFewer meanings
a formal legal guarantee backed by money that secures release or ensures an obligation is met
Verb
to form a close relationship or sense of trust with someone
to stick or join firmly to something, or make materials stick together
Beyond the definition
A bond is a close connection between people, such as the deep bond between a mother and a child, or a shared feeling of unity. It acts as a force that unites—whether through a shared interest, a solemn promise, or a legal contract. Think of it as an invisible thread tying lives or ideas together. Over time, you might form a strong bond with a friend, or break a bond through a betrayal of trust.
At the same time, it can also be a formal commitment. In practical terms, a surety bond is a legally binding guarantee that makes someone responsible for another party’s obligations. Whether emotional, practical, or legal, this word usually points to something that holds fast.
The word "bond" carries a rich set of meanings, encompassing emotional connections, formal agreements, and financial instruments. At its heart, a bond signifies something that unites people or things—a tie, a link, or a deep sense of closeness. You might describe the bond between siblings as unbreakable, forged through years of shared experiences and mutual support. This emotional connection is built on a foundation of trust and affection.
However, the term extends far beyond personal relationships. In a professional context, it refers to a formal agreement—a legal bond that obligates a party to fulfill specific conditions. This is seen in construction projects through surety bonds, which guarantee the completion of work. In the world of finance, a government or corporate bond is essentially a loan you provide to an entity in exchange for future repayment with interest.
The word also serves a vital role in science: a chemical bond, such as a covalent bond, holds atoms together to form the molecules that make up our world. This shows its central idea: bringing separate elements into a stable, unified state. Figuratively, it describes the process of forming a connection: "We bonded over our shared love of vintage movies." While one is "bound" by duty, the bond itself is the force of connection and commitment that shapes relationships, laws, and even the matter around us.
Examples
- 1
Sports team
Years of training together created a strong bond between the players.
- 2
Family relationship
She has always had a close bond with her older brother.
- 3
Group experience
Spending a week in the mountains helped the group bond.
- 4
Family closeness
It took him a while to bond with his new stepdaughter.
- Patternbond with + person
become emotionally close to them
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Shared interests
We bonded over our shared love of old movies.
- Patternbond over + shared interest/experience
feel closer because you have it in common
- 6
Community
The disaster brought the town together and strengthened community bonds.
- 7
Investment
A lot of people buy government bonds as a safer long-term investment.
- Domaingovernment bonds
money lent to a government as an investment
- 8
Adhesive
This glue bonds well to wood but not to glass.
- Patternbond to + surface/material
stick or join firmly to it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- form a bond
- strong bond
- family bond
- bond between
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- bondnounverb
Forms
- bondspluralnounverb
- bonding-ing formverbnoun
- bondedpast tenseverbnoun