pair bond

¹ American  

noun

Animal Behavior.

1. a partnership between a mating couple that lasts through one season, serving primarily in the cooperative rearing of young.

2. the couple that forms such a partnership.

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pair-bond ² American  

[pair-bond] / ˈpɛərˌbɒnd /

verb (used without object)

1. (of a mating couple) to form and maintain a pair bond.

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noun

1. pair bond.

pair bond British  

noun

1. the exclusive relationship formed between a male and a female, esp in some species of animals and birds during courtship and breeding

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Other Word Forms

• pair bonding noun

Etymology

Origin of pair bond¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Origin of pair-bond²

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Despite their very different upbringings and destinies, the pair bond through their desert adventures, like taking out Spice harvesters together.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2024

While we can’t definitively say that these lizards grieve, Dr. Whiting said, “I would certainly say we can’t discount that certain species that have that strong pair bond might.”

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2022

To which Levi responds: “What about prairie voles? They pair bond for life.”

From Washington Post • Aug. 20, 2022

“There’s something about forming a pair bond that changes these male prairie voles’ ability to recognize others.

From National Geographic • Sep. 3, 2015

He notes that in the monogamous prairie voles he studies, males that have a pair bond can actually be hostile to other females.

From Time • Nov. 27, 2013