bonding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal; common in academic, psychological, technical, and everyday relational contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bonding” mean?
The formation of a close emotional or physical connection between individuals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The formation of a close emotional or physical connection between individuals; the act or process of creating a secure attachment.
In broader contexts, it can refer to the process of two substances sticking together (adhesion), or the establishment of a stable relationship in finance, law, or business (e.g., a financial guarantee).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slightly more frequent in American English in corporate/HR contexts ('team bonding').
Connotations
Universally positive in social contexts. In technical use, neutral.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “bonding” in a Sentence
[subject] + bonding + [between/with] + [object]the bonding of [A] to [B][subject] + promote/encourage/facilitate + bondingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bonding” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The weekend away was crucial for team bonding.
- The bonding between the mother and her newborn is vital.
American English
- The company retreat focused on employee bonding.
- Dental bonding is a common cosmetic procedure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to activities designed to improve team cohesion and trust.
Academic
Used in psychology (attachment theory), biology, chemistry, and materials science.
Everyday
Commonly refers to time spent strengthening personal relationships (e.g., parent-child, friends).
Technical
Describes processes like covalent bonding in chemistry or adhesive bonding in engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bonding”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bonding”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bonding”
- Using 'bonding' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'We had a good bonding' instead of 'We had a good bonding experience').
- Confusing 'bonding' (process) with 'bond' (the resulting connection).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for interpersonal connections, it's also a standard term in science (e.g., chemical bonding) and technology (e.g., adhesive bonding).
'Bond' is typically the resulting connection or tie (a noun) or the act of creating it (a verb). 'Bonding' is the process or activity that leads to the formation of a bond.
Yes, in compound nouns or attributively (e.g., 'bonding experience', 'bonding agent'). It is primarily a gerund (noun) derived from the verb 'bond'.
It is a established sociological term but can be seen as stereotypical. More neutral terms like 'social bonding among men' are often preferred in formal writing.
The formation of a close emotional or physical connection between individuals.
Bonding is usually neutral to formal; common in academic, psychological, technical, and everyday relational contexts. in register.
Bonding: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒndɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːndɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bonding moment”
- “bond over (something)”
- “a bonding experience”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOND as a strong connection. BOND-ING is the ongoing process of creating that bond.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION IS A PHYSICAL BOND/TIE; RELATIONSHIPS ARE STRUCTURES (building a bond).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'bonding' most commonly refers to: