bonds: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical (Finance, Chemistry), Literary
Quick answer
What does “bonds” mean?
Things that bind or connect people, entities, or things together, often creating a sense of duty, connection, or obligation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Things that bind or connect people, entities, or things together, often creating a sense of duty, connection, or obligation.
1) Financial instruments representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental). 2) Physical restraints, such as ropes or chains. 3) Strong connections of love, friendship, or shared experience. 4) In chemistry, the forces that hold atoms together in molecules.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. In finance, 'gilts' is a UK-specific term for government bonds, whereas the US uses 'Treasury bonds'. Spelling: 'junk bonds' (both), 'war bonds' (both).
Connotations
In both varieties, 'bonds' in a personal context carries a positive connotation of closeness. In finance, it is neutral/technical. 'In bonds' (archaic for 'in chains') is more likely in British literary contexts.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties due to universal financial and relational concepts.
Grammar
How to Use “bonds” in a Sentence
N bonds between N (the bonds between siblings)V bonds (strengthen bonds)ADJ bonds (unbreakable bonds)N bonds with N (bonds with investors)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bonds” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team bonded over a pint after the match.
- The new adhesive bonds surfaces in under a minute.
American English
- The team bonded over beers after the game.
- The new adhesive bonds surfaces in under a minute.
adverb
British English
- This is not a standard adverbial form for 'bonds'.
- N/A
American English
- This is not a standard adverbial form for 'bonds'.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- Bonded leather is used in cheaper furniture.
- They called a bonded locksmith for security.
American English
- Bonded leather is used in budget furniture.
- They called a bonded locksmith for security.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company plans to issue bonds to raise capital for the new factory.
Academic
The study examines the social bonds that form in early childhood development.
Everyday
Our shared experience created strong bonds that lasted a lifetime.
Technical
The enzyme's function is to catalyze the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bonds”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bonds”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bonds”
- Using 'bonds' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a bonds' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'bonds' (debt) with 'stocks/shares' (equity).
- Misspelling as 'bounds' (which means limits).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Stocks represent ownership shares in a company (equity), while bonds represent a loan made to a company or government (debt). Bondholders are creditors, not owners.
Yes. Positively, it describes loving ties ('family bonds'). Negatively, it can describe restrictive obligations ('the bonds of debt') or literal chains.
No. 'Bonds' is almost always plural. The singular is 'a bond' (e.g., 'a chemical bond', 'a strong bond of friendship'). In finance, you refer to 'a bond issue' or 'a type of bond', but the instruments themselves are 'bonds'.
Context is key. Financial context involves money, interest, and issuers like governments or companies. Personal context involves people, feelings, and relationships. Chemical context involves atoms, molecules, and elements. Legal/literary context may involve restraints or obligations.
Things that bind or connect people, entities, or things together, often creating a sense of duty, connection, or obligation.
Bonds is usually formal, technical (finance, chemistry), literary in register.
Bonds: in British English it is pronounced /bɒndz/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑːndz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bonds of matrimony”
- “in bonds (archaic for imprisoned)”
- “break the bonds of something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOND as a BAND that holds things together – whether it's a financial band of agreement, a chemical band between atoms, or the invisible band of friendship.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION IS A PHYSICAL BINDING / FINANCIAL AGREEMENT IS PHYSICAL RESTRAINT ('shackled by debt', 'bound by contract').
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'bonds' NOT imply a connection or binding force?