bend

noun countable

UK /bend/

Word Forms

singular	bend
plural	bends

1
a curve in a road, river etc
As she approached the bend, a dog sprang into the road.
bend in:
We came to a sharp bend in the road.
a sharp/tight bend:
a sharp bend in the river
round/around a bend:
He sped around the bend, sounding his horn furiously.
to round a bend (=go round a bend):
Rounding the next bend, he saw the hotel ahead of him.
Synonyms and related words
Parts of roads and road systems
bend
black spot
bus lane
2
a movement in which you bend your body, especially as an exercise
Let’s warm up with a few bends and stretches.
Synonyms and related words
Physical exercise and exercises
aerobic
aerobics
aquarobics

phrases

be/go round the bend

drive someone round the bend

bend

noun countable

US /bend/

Word Forms

singular	bend
plural	bends

1
a curve in a road, river, etc.
As she approached the bend, a dog sprang into the road.
bend in:
We came to a sharp bend in the road.
around a bend:
He sped around the bend, sounding his horn furiously.
a sharp/tight bend:
a sharp bend in the river
Synonyms and related words
Parts of roads and road systems
bend
bicycle lane
bike lane
2
a movement in which you bend your body, especially as an exercise
Let’s warm up with a few bends and stretches.
Synonyms and related words
Physical exercise and exercises
aerobic
aerobics
aquarobics

phrases

drive someone around the bend

bend

verb

UK /bend/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	bend
he/she/it	bends
present participle	bending
past tense	bent
past participle	bent

1
intransitive/transitive to lean forwards and downwards, or to move the top part of your body forwards and downwards
He bent and kissed her quickly.
bend forwards:
She bent forwards and whispered in my ear.
bend down:
Helen bent down to pick up her pen.
bend over:
Bend over and touch your toes.
be bent double (=be completely bent over):
Tom was bent double, holding his stomach in pain.
Synonyms and related words
To change your position
balance
bear yourself
bend
1. 1a
  intransitive/transitive if you bend your head or if it bends, you move it forwards and downwards without moving your body downwards
  The three of them sat there with their heads bent over their books.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change your position
  balance
  bear yourself
  bend
2
intransitive to become curved or folded and not straight
tools that will not bend or break under stress
bend under something:
The slim branches were bending under the weight of their fruit.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
shape
reshape
form
1. 2a
  intransitive to move with a curving or folding movement
  bend in/out/forwards etc:
  The corners of the card bend inwards to form tabs.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move in circles or twists
  spin
  revolve
  whirl
2. 2b
  intransitive if a road, river etc bends, it changes direction in the shape of a curve
  The path bends sharply just before you enter the wood.
  Synonyms and related words
  What roads, paths and areas of land do
  ascend
  bend
  bifurcate
3. 2c
  intransitive if light bends, it changes direction
  Synonyms and related words
  What light can do
  reflect
  flood
  fade
4. 2d
  transitive if you bend an object, you change it so that it becomes curved or folded and not straight
  This type of pipe can be easily bent by hand.
  bend something over/round something etc:
  Bend the wires round the battery.
  bend something into something:
  We bent the strips of clay into strange shapes.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the shape of something
  shape
  reshape
  form
5. 2e
  intransitive/transitive if you bend your arm, leg etc, or if it bends, you move it into a position that is not straight
  His arm was so stiff he couldn’t bend it at all.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move your limbs and appendages
  reach out
  reach
  kick

phrases

bend someone’s ear

bend your mind/thoughts to something

bend over backwards (to do something)

bend the rules (for someone)

bend someone to your will

bend the truth

on bended knee(s)

bend

verb

US /bend/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	bend
he/she/it	bends
present participle	bending
past tense	bent
past participle	bent

1
intransitive/transitive to lean forward and downward, or to move the top part of your body forward and downward
He bent and kissed her quickly.
bend forward:
She bent forward and whispered in my ear.
bend over:
Bend over and touch your toes.
bend down:
Helen bent down to pick up her pen.
Synonyms and related words
To change your position
balance
bear yourself
bend
1. 1a
  intransitive/transitive if you bend your head or if it bends, you move it forward and downward without moving your body downward
  The three of them sat there with their heads bent over their books.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change your position
  balance
  bear yourself
  bend
2
intransitive to become curved or folded and not straight
tools that will not bend or break under stress
bend under something:
The slim branches were bending under the weight of their fruit.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
reshape
open up
shape
1. 2a
  intransitive to move with a curving or folding movement
  bend in/out/forward etc.:
  The corners of the card bend inward to form tabs.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move in circles or twists
  spin
  revolve
  whirl
2. 2b
  intransitive if a road, river, etc. bends, it changes direction in the shape of a curve
  The path bends sharply just before you enter the wood.
  Synonyms and related words
  What roads, paths and areas of land do
  ascend
  bend
  bifurcate
3. 2c
  intransitive if light bends, it changes direction
  Synonyms and related words
  What light can do
  reflect
  flood
  fade
4. 2d
  transitive if you bend an object, you change it so that it becomes curved or folded and not straight
  This type of pipe can be easily bent by hand.
  bend something over/around something etc.:
  Bend the wires around the battery.
  bend something into something:
  We bent the strips of clay into strange shapes.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the shape of something
  reshape
  open up
  shape
5. 2e
  intransitive/transitive if you bend your arm, leg, etc., or if it bends, you move it into a position that is not straight
  His arm was so stiff he couldn’t bend it at all.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move your limbs and appendages
  spread
  fold your arms/hands
  bend

phrases

bend someone’s ear

bend your mind/thoughts to something

bend over backward (to do something)

bend the rules (for someone)

bend someone to your will

bend the truth

on bended knee(s)

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bend ​‌‌‌

bend

bend

bend

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