Binding means holding things firmly together. When you bind something, you fasten it so tightly that it won't easily come apart. A rope binding two sticks creates a secure connection. Bookbinders use glue, thread, and sturdy covers to bind loose pages into a book that will last for years.

The word also describes something that must be followed or obeyed. A binding agreement is a serious commitment with real consequences if broken. When a judge makes a binding decision, both sides must follow it. If your parents make a binding rule about homework before screen time, you can't simply decide not to follow it.

In chemistry, binding describes how atoms stick together to form molecules. Water exists because oxygen and hydrogen atoms bind together in a specific way. Understanding how atoms bind helps scientists create new materials and medicines.

The noun binding refers to the cover and spine that hold a book's pages together. A book with a leather binding feels sturdy and elegant, while a book with a damaged binding might have loose pages falling out. Skis and snowboards also have bindings, which are the mechanisms that attach boots securely to the equipment.