bind over: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Legal/Formal
Quick answer
What does “bind over” mean?
A legal order, typically from a magistrate or judge, compelling a person to keep the peace, be of good behaviour, or attend court, often with a financial penalty for non-compliance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legal order, typically from a magistrate or judge, compelling a person to keep the peace, be of good behaviour, or attend court, often with a financial penalty for non-compliance.
In a broader, non-legal sense, it can metaphorically mean to impose a strong obligation or duty on someone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both UK and US legal systems, but the specific procedures and terminology (e.g., 'to keep the peace') are more strongly associated with UK common law tradition. In the US, it is often part of pretrial release or probation conditions.
Connotations
Connotes formal judicial authority and conditional freedom. In the UK, it historically has a strong connection to magistrates' courts.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language but standard within legal contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “bind over” in a Sentence
[Court/Authority] bind over [Person/Defendant] (to do something)[Person/Defendant] be bound over (by [Court]) (to do something)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bind over” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The magistrates may bind him over to keep the peace for twelve months.
- She was bound over in the sum of £500 to appear at the Crown Court.
American English
- The judge decided to bind the defendant over for trial in the superior court.
- He was bound over to the grand jury on the felony charge.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in legal studies, criminology, and historical texts discussing judicial processes.
Everyday
Extremely rare except in news reports about court cases.
Technical
Core term in legal proceedings, specifically in criminal procedure for minor offences or as a preventative measure.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bind over”
- Using it as a noun (*He got a bind over). It's a phrasal verb. Correct: He was bound over.
- Using active voice incorrectly in non-legal contexts. The passive 'bound over' is standard.
- Confusing it with 'bind' meaning to tie physically.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a term in both British and American legal English, though its historical roots and specific usage are prominent in UK common law.
Yes, but typically the subject is a legal authority (court, judge, magistrate). Example: 'The court bound him over to keep the peace.' The passive construction ('He was bound over...') is more common.
They are similar preventative orders. A 'bind over' often requires the person to enter into a recognizance (a financial pledge), while a conditional discharge does not. A breach of a bind over can result in forfeiture of the money pledged.
Extremely rare. It is almost exclusively a technical legal term. Any non-legal use is a deliberate metaphor drawn from its legal meaning.
A legal order, typically from a magistrate or judge, compelling a person to keep the peace, be of good behaviour, or attend court, often with a financial penalty for non-compliance.
Bind over is usually legal/formal in register.
Bind over: in British English it is pronounced /baɪnd ˈəʊvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /baɪnd ˈoʊvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bound over to keep the peace”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a judge using legal BINDings to tie a person OVER to future good behaviour.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A BOND (an agreement that restrains).
Practice
Quiz
What does it mean if someone is 'bound over'?