To mend means to repair something that's broken or damaged, making it whole and usable again. When you mend a torn shirt, you sew the ripped fabric back together. When you mend a broken fence, you replace the damaged boards so it stands strong again.

The word often suggests fixing things with care and skill rather than just replacing them. A cobbler mends worn shoes by stitching new leather onto old soles. Your grandmother might mend a favorite stuffed animal that's losing its stuffing, carefully sewing up the seam so you can keep it for years longer.

Mend can also describe healing, both physical and emotional. A broken bone mends over time as your body knits it back together. After an argument, two friends might work to mend their friendship by apologizing and listening to each other. When people say “time heals all wounds” or “on the mend,” they mean things are getting better, recovering from damage.

The phrase mend your ways means to improve your behavior, like when someone who's been disruptive in class decides to become a better student. It suggests fixing yourself the same way you'd repair a torn jacket: with attention, effort, and care.