bond
noun · verb · adjective
Simple meaning
A documentary obligation to pay a sum or to perform a contract.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
bahndIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈbɑnd
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
law
A document constituting evidence of a long-term debt, by which the bond issuer (the borrower) is obliged to pay interest when due, and repay the principal at maturity, as specified on the face of the bond certificate. The rights of the holder are specified in the bond indenture, which contains the legal terms and conditions under which the bond was issued. Bonds are available in two forms: registered bonds, and bearer bonds.
finance
A documentary obligation to pay a sum or to perform a contract; a debenture.
A partial payment made to show a provider that the customer is sincere about buying a product or a service. If the product or service is not purchased the customer then forfeits the bond.
An emotional link, connection or union; that which holds two or more people together, as in a friendship; a tie.
often in the plural
A physical connection which binds, a band.
Moral or political duty or obligation.
verb
Bring together in a common cause or emotion
transitive
To cause to adhere (one material with another).
transitive
To put in a bonded warehouse; to secure (goods) until the associated duties are paid.
transitive
To guarantee or secure a financial risk.
To form a friendship or emotional connection.
transitive
To connect, secure or tie with a bond; to bind.
adjective
In a state of servitude or slavedom; not free.
Servile; slavish; pertaining to or befitting a slave.
Subject to the tenure called bondage.
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: An emotional link, connection or union; that which holds two or more people together, as in a friendship; a tie.
Used this way, bond is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It turns up most in relationships contexts.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Where it naturally appears
- Relationships
Nearby words
- bond paper , rarer, so it draws attention
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use bond
- “The bailiff released the prisoner as soon as the bond was posted.”noun
- “They had grown up as friends and neighbors, and not even vastly differing political views could break the bond of their friendship.”noun
- “The gargantuan ape was bonded in iron chains and carted onto the stage.”verb
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.