bonding
Americannoun
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Psychology, Animal Behavior.
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a relationship that usually begins at the time of birth between a parent and offspring and that establishes the basis for an ongoing mutual attachment.
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the establishment of a pair bond.
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a close friendship that develops between adults, often as a result of intense experiences, as those shared in military combat.
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Dentistry. a technique or procedure for restoring the discolored or damaged surface of a tooth by coating it with a highly durable resinous material that adheres to the existing enamel.
noun
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the process by which individuals become emotionally attached to one another See also pair bond
Etymology
Origin of bonding
First recorded in 1670–80, for an earlier sense; bond 1 + -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And because of its relative financial stability and its list of long-term clients, it can go without bonding more often than not.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Such a network is often very sensitive to strain, and applying strain can partially relieve the frustration within the bonding pattern.
From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026
The greater the changes in the brain, the more likely women were to say they were relating to, and bonding well, with their babies - the team of scientists found.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026
Stylistically, “Jailbreak” stood at the crossroads of multiple rock genres and tapped into potent social issues, particularly male bonding, restlessness and romantic uncertainty.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026
But instead of bonding into a tightly united team, no one seemed to like or trust the other.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
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.