- to force (an object, especially a long or thin one) from a straight form into a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form: to bend an iron rod into a hoop.
- to direct or turn in a particular direction: to bend one's energies to the task.
- to cause to submit or yield: to bend someone to one's will.
- to modify or relax (restrictions, regulations, etc.) temporarily or in certain circumstances: to bend the rules.
- to incline mentally (usually followed by to or toward): bending his thoughts back toward his childhood.
- to pull back the string of (a bow or the like) in preparation for shooting.
- to fasten.
- to strain or brace tensely (often followed by up).
- to become curved, crooked, or bent: a bow that bends easily.
- to assume a bent posture; stoop (often followed by over): to bend as one walks;to bend over and pick up something.
- to turn or incline in a particular direction; be directed: The road bent toward the south.
- to yield or submit; give in.
- to bow in submission or reverence: bending to one's monarch.
- to direct one's energies: We bent to our work as the bell sounded.
- the act of bending.
- something that bends; curve; crook: a bend in the road;a bend in the curtain rod.
- any of various loops or knots for joining the ends of two ropes or the like, or for joining the end of a rope or the like to some other object.
- bends, Nautical.
- thick planking immediately below the waterways of a wooden vessel.
- the wales of a vessel.
- aeroembolism (def. 2).
- insane; crazy: These interruptions will send me round the bend!
- to exert oneself to the utmost; make a serious effort: They bent over backward to make sure their guests were comfortable.
- Heraldry.
- a diagonal band extending from the dexter chief of an escutcheon to the sinister base.
- (of a charge) set diagonally or in a diagonal row.
- half of a trimmed butt or hide.
- a city in central Oregon.
- to form or cause to form a curve, as by pushing or pulling
- to turn or cause to turn from a particular direction
- to incline the body; stoop; bow
- to submit or cause to submit
- to turn or direct (one's eyes, steps, attention, etc)
- to concentrate (the mind); apply oneself closely
- to attach or fasten, as a sail to a boom or a line to a cleat
- to make a special effort, esp in order to please
- to speak at length to an unwilling listener, esp to voice one's troubles
- to ignore rules or change them to suit one's own convenience
- a curved part, as in a road or river
- a knot or eye in a line for joining it to another or to an object
- the act or state of bending
- mad; crazy; eccentric
- an ordinary consisting of a diagonal line traversing a shield