bend
1to 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).
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.
the act of bending.
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).
Idioms about bend
Origin of bend
1synonym study For bend
Other words for bend
Other words from bend
- bend·a·ble, adjective
- non·bend·ing, adjective
- re·bend·a·ble, adjective
Other definitions for bend (2 of 3)
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.
Origin of bend
2Other definitions for Bend (3 of 3)
a city in central Oregon.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for bend (1 of 2)
/ (bɛnd) /
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 to make a special effort, esp in order to please: he bends over backwards to accommodate his customers
bend someone's ear informal to speak at length to an unwilling listener, esp to voice one's troubles
bend the rules informal to ignore rules or change them to suit one's own convenience
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 British slang mad; crazy; eccentric
Origin of bend
1- See also bends
Derived forms of bend
- bendable, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for bend (2 of 2)
/ (bɛnd) /
heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal line traversing a shield
Origin of bend
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with bend
In addition to the idioms beginning with bend
- bend one's elbow
- bend over backwards
- bend someone's ear
also see:
- around the bend
- crook (bend) one's elbow
- on bended knee
Also see underbent.
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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