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bend
1[ bend ]
verb (used with object)
- to force (an object, especially a long or thin one) from a straight form into a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form:
to bend an iron rod into a hoop.
- to direct or turn in a particular direction:
to bend one's energies to the task.
- to cause to submit or yield:
to bend someone to one's will.
- to modify or relax (restrictions, regulations, etc.) temporarily or in certain circumstances:
to bend the rules.
- to incline mentally (usually followed by to or toward ):
bending his thoughts back toward his childhood.
- to pull back the string of (a bow or the like) in preparation for shooting.
- Nautical. to fasten.
- Archaic. to strain or brace tensely (often followed by up ).
verb (used without object)
- to become curved, crooked, or bent:
a bow that bends easily.
- to assume a bent posture; stoop (often followed by over ):
to bend as one walks;
to bend over and pick up something.
- to turn or incline in a particular direction; be directed:
The road bent toward the south.
- to yield or submit; give in.
- to bow in submission or reverence:
bending to one's monarch.
- to direct one's energies:
We bent to our work as the bell sounded.
noun
- the act of bending.
a bend in the road;
a bend in the curtain rod.
- Nautical. any of various loops or knots for joining the ends of two ropes or the like, or for joining the end of a rope or the like to some other object.
- bends, Nautical.
- thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel.
- the wales of a vessel.
- the bends, aeroembolism ( def 2 ).
bend
2[ bend ]
noun
- Heraldry.
- a diagonal band extending from the dexter chief of an escutcheon to the sinister base. Compare bend sinister.
- in bend, (of a charge) set diagonally or in a diagonal row.
- Tanning. half of a trimmed butt or hide.
Bend
3[ bend ]
noun
- a city in central Oregon.
bend
1/ bɛnd /
verb
- to form or cause to form a curve, as by pushing or pulling
- to turn or cause to turn from a particular direction
the road bends left past the church
- intr; often foll by down, etc to incline the body; stoop; bow
- to submit or cause to submit
to bend before superior force
- tr to turn or direct (one's eyes, steps, attention, etc)
- tr to concentrate (the mind); apply oneself closely
- tr nautical to attach or fasten, as a sail to a boom or a line to a cleat
- bend over backwards informal.bend over backwards to make a special effort, esp in order to please
he bends over backwards to accommodate his customers
- bend someone's ear informal.bend someone's ear to speak at length to an unwilling listener, esp to voice one's troubles
- bend the rules informal.bend the rules to ignore rules or change them to suit one's own convenience
noun
- a curved part, as in a road or river
- nautical a knot or eye in a line for joining it to another or to an object
- the act or state of bending
- round the bend slang.round the bend mad; crazy; eccentric
bend
2/ bɛnd /
noun
- heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal line traversing a shield
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Derived Forms
- ˈbendable, adjective
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Other Words From
- benda·ble adjective
- non·bending adjective
- re·benda·ble adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of bend1
Origin of bend2
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Idioms and Phrases
These interruptions will send me round the bend!
- bend / lean / fall over backward, to exert oneself to the utmost; make a serious effort:
They bent over backward to make sure their guests were comfortable.
More idioms and phrases containing bend
- around the bend
- crook (bend) one's elbow
- on bended knee
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
And now, similarly, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee: "Bend over and take it like a prisoner!"
Clickbait title notwithstanding, Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!
Today, the train chugs north out of Kanchanaburi over the famous bridge before it hits a spectacular bend in the river.
“They would bend my head back, put a towel over my face and pour water over the towel,” Harrison was quoted as saying.
After acknowledging that there has been a “bend in the curve” and a reason to hope, he warned against inaction.
But there was no shadow ahead of him this night; there was no somber thing to bend down the high serenity of his happy heart.
Malcolm reined up, and soon a British officer appeared round a bend in the road.
Perry Thomas parted from us at the gate, and we stood watching his retreating figure till we lost it at the bend.
We heard Aaron Kallaberger's stentorian tones as we clattered around the bend.
The boy's knees began to bend under him, and he was reaching a long, thin arm out behind hunting for the bench.
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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.
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