binding

binding — adjective

1. describing a promise, contract, or decision that the people involved are require

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

describing a promise, contract, or decision that the people involved are required by law to keep, so that none of them can simply walk away from it later.

Example

The contract Fadi signed with the gallery is legally binding for three years.

collocation: legally binding

Once both parties shake hands in court, the agreement becomes binding on everyone.

binding on someone

Common collocations
  • legally binding
  • morally binding
  • mutually binding
  • binding agreement
  • binding contract
  • binding decision
  • binding ruling
Synonyms
  • enforceable

    stresses that a court can force compliance, slightly more technical

  • obligatory

    broader: applies to rules and duties, not only legal documents

  • mandatory

    applies to rules everyone must follow, often set by an authority rather than a contract

Antonyms
  • non-binding

    describes an agreement that carries no legal force

  • voluntary

    describes participation that nobody is required to take part in

Grammar Patterns

binding on someone

legally binding

Usage Note

Frequently appears with 'legally', 'morally', or 'mutually'. Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'become'. Common subjects are contract, agreement, decision, ruling, promise, or treaty.

Common Mistakes

The contract is binding to me.
The contract is binding on me.
use the preposition 'on', not 'to', for the person or party who must obey it.

binding — noun

Word family

  • bind
    verbB2
  • bound
    adjectiveB2
  • bindery
    nounC2
  • binder
    nounB2
  • non-binding
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words say that something must be obeyed, but they fit different situations. 'Binding' is the standard word for promises, contracts, and rulings: once it is signed, you cannot just back out. 'Enforceable' goes one step further — it stresses that a court could actually make you comply, so a 'binding' contract that is also 'enforceable' will hold up in court. 'Obligatory' is broader; it can describe duties that come from manners, religion, or work routines, not only law: morning meetings can be obligatory. 'Mandatory' usually points to rules set by an authority for everyone (a mandatory vaccine, mandatory training); it sounds firmer and more public than 'obligatory'. So you might say: 'The contract is binding, the clause is enforceable in court, attendance is obligatory, and the safety briefing is mandatory.'

binding ↗enforceableobligatorymandatory ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • legally
  • morally
  • mutually
  • contractually

Phrases

  • legally binding agreement
  • binding upon both parties
  • binding arbitration

Prepositions

  • binding on (someone)
  • binding upon (someone)
  • binding under (a law)

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Binding comes from the Old English verb 'bindan', meaning to tie or fasten with rope or cord. The '-ing' ending turned the verb into a noun for the act of tying, and later for the thing that ties — first ropes and straps, then book covers from the 1300s, then sewn fabric edges. The adjective sense 'that must be obeyed' grew from the same image: a promise or law was felt to 'tie' the people who made it, just as a rope ties an object.