binding

American  

[bahyn-ding] / ˈbaɪn dɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of fastening, securing, uniting, or the like.

2. anything that binds.

3. the covering within which the leaves of a book are bound.

4. a strip of material that protects or decorates the edge of a tablecloth, rug, etc.

5. Skiing. a mechanical device on a ski, usually made of metal, that fastens the boot securely to the ski.

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adjective

1. that binds; restrictive.

2. having power to bind or oblige; obligatory.

   a binding promise.

binding British  

/ ˈbaɪndɪŋ /

noun

1. anything that binds or fastens

2. the covering within which the pages of a book are bound

3. the material or tape used for binding hems, etc

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adjective

1. imposing an obligation or duty

   a binding promise

2. causing hindrance; restrictive

Other Word Forms

• bindingly adverb
• bindingness noun
• nonbinding adjective
• nonbindingly adverb
• nonbindingness noun

Etymology

Origin of binding

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at bind, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Sue Davies, head of consumer rights at Which?, said the new laws needed to be "sufficiently strong and binding to hold online marketplaces to account".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Organon surged 24% after the Economic Times, an Indian business newspaper, reported that Sun Pharmaceutical Industries had submitted a binding $12 billion bid for the healthcare company.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

If you stop these proteins from binding to chromatin, you can shut down the machinery that activates cancer-driving genes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

The 52-page document is written as if it were a binding judicial opinion, which it is not.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

The binding is frayed, and the rope around its center barely holds in the contents.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• conclusive
• irrevocable
• mandatory
• required