the capacity to attract and hold something
"The new adhesive has a binding strength that allows it to secure heavy machinery without slipping even in extreme weather conditions."
strip sewn over or along an edge for reinforcement or decoration
"The tailor carefully stitched a narrow strip of leather binding along the raw edges of the jacket to prevent fraying and add a sleek finish."
one of a pair of mechanical devices that are attached to a ski and that will grip a ski boot; the bindings should release in case of a fall
"After tightening the screws on my new ski bindings, I felt confident they would hold firmly during a run but release safely if I took a tumble."
the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
"the book had a leather binding"
An item (usually rope, tape, or string) used to hold two or more things together.
"The sailor tightened the binding around the broken mast before the storm hit."
In plain English: A binding is a strong strap or piece of material used to hold things together tightly so they do not come apart.
"The binding on this book is worn out from years of use."
Usage: Use "binding" as a noun to refer specifically to the act or process of binding something, such as the time required to tie a package securely. Do not use it interchangeably with "banding," which describes the physical strip itself used to hold items together.
present participle of bind
"The surgeon carefully placed the sterile dressing and applied a tight bandage that was binding the wound securely."
In plain English: To bind something means to tie it tightly so it cannot move or be opened.
"The new policy binds all employees to follow strict safety rules."
Usage: Use "binding" to describe something that is currently tying or securing another object together, such as binding a package with tape. Avoid using it to mean legally obligatory, which is the distinct noun form often confused with the verb's past tense.
Imposing stipulations or requirements that must be honoured.
"The contract included binding clauses that required both parties to settle any disputes through arbitration rather than court."
In plain English: Binding means something that is firmly attached or tied down so it cannot move easily.
"The new contract has binding rules that everyone must follow."
Usage: Use binding to describe rules or agreements that are legally enforceable and must be strictly followed by all parties involved. Do not confuse this with the physical act of tying something together, which uses a different context entirely.
The word binding comes from Middle English byndynge, which was formed by adding the suffix -ing to the verb bind. It entered modern usage with the same meaning as it held in its earlier form, referring to the act or result of tying things together.