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Showing results for bonding. Search instead for debonding.
Synonyms

bonding

American  
[bon-ding] / ˈbɒn dɪŋ /

noun

  1. Psychology, Animal Behavior.

    1. a relationship that usually begins at the time of birth between a parent and offspring and that establishes the basis for an ongoing mutual attachment.

    2. the establishment of a pair bond.

  2. a close friendship that develops between adults, often as a result of intense experiences, as those shared in military combat.

  3. Dentistry. a technique or procedure for restoring the discolored or damaged surface of a tooth by coating it with a highly durable resinous material that adheres to the existing enamel.

bonding British  
/ ˈbɒndɪŋ /

noun

  1. the process by which individuals become emotionally attached to one another See also pair bond

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bonding

First recorded in 1670–80, for an earlier sense; bond 1 + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Their analysis revealed that introducing ions can cause measurable structural changes, including shifts in the spacing between layers and modifications to local bonding environments.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

The greater the changes in the brain, the more likely women were to say they were relating to, and bonding well, with their babies - the team of scientists found.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Some built “practice nests” in the area as a bonding ritual, but they all headed home eventually.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

The eagles were bonding and mating — all positive signs — but nothing was guaranteed.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Jackie and Gary had been bonding for months in World of War- craft.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.