What does bond mean?
A bond is a powerful connection that holds things together, whether emotionally, physically, chemically, or financially. In everyday life, a bond describes the affectionate or loyal link between people — family members, friends, colleagues — often described as something built over time through shared experience. In chemistry, a bond refers to the attractive force joining atoms into molecules, such as a covalent or ionic bond. In construction and manufacturing, bonding can describe adhesives fastening surfaces together. In finance, a bond is a debt instrument: investors lend money to a government or corporation, which promises repayment with interest, making bonds a staple of conservative investing. The word also carries legal weight, as in a surety or customs bond guaranteeing obligations. Derived from the same root as 'bind', bond conveys durability and obligation — a word whose core idea of holding fast applies equally to hearts, atoms, and markets.
A strong connection, link, or tie between people, groups, objects, or ideas; also a financial security representing a loan.
"Their shared childhood created a bond that endured into adulthood."
In finance, plural 'bonds' typically refers collectively to fixed-income securities.
In chemistry or physics, an attractive force holding atoms or molecules together.
"Water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds."
To join or be joined securely; to form a close emotional relationship with someone.
"The team bonded quickly over long shifts and shared meals."
Standard plural; in finance, 'bonds' commonly denotes a portfolio or class of securities.
"She diversified her savings across several corporate bonds."
The words 'bond', 'band', and 'ban' all trace back to the same ancient root meaning to bind or command — so every bond you form is linguistically related to a prohibition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bond
Bond comes from Middle English 'bonde', originally meaning a peasant bound to the land (a serf), derived from Old Norse 'bōndi' meaning a dweller or husbandman — one who is bound to a homestead. This Norse sense eventually blended with the native English verb 'bind' and its noun 'bind/band', all tracing to Proto-Germanic roots conveying tying or fastening. Cognates include band, bandage, and abandon (via Old French), each preserving the underlying sense of restraint or attachment. Over centuries, the word broadened from legal servitude to any binding connection, including modern financial and scientific uses.
Related word forms
How bond is actually used
'Bond' spans registers: intimate in personal contexts ('a mother's bond'), technical in science ('covalent bond'), and formal in finance ('corporate bond'). As a verb, 'to bond' commonly appears in psychology, chemistry, and materials science; the phrase 'bonding time' is informal but widely used.
Easily confused with bond
A band is a strip or loop of material or a group of musicians, while a bond is a tie or connection — though both derive from the same root meaning 'to bind'.