# bend

/ˈbɛnd/ (US) · /bˈɛnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bend
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to curve an object

verb · CEFR A2

to force something straight into a curved shape.

For teachers: to cause a physical object to change from a straight to a curved or angular shape through force.

- You have to bend the wire carefully so it does not snap.
- The blacksmith used extreme heat to bend the iron bar into a decorative scroll for the gate.

### 2. to lean the body

verb · CEFR A2

to move the top part of your body down or forward.

For teachers: to incline the body or a body part from a vertical position; to stoop.

- She had to bend down to tie her shoelaces.
- The gardener spent the entire morning bending over the flower beds to remove stubborn weeds.

### 3. to change direction

verb · CEFR B1

to turn or change the direction of a path or road.

For teachers: to deviate from a straight line or course; used of roads, rivers, or paths.

- The road bends sharply to the left just after the bridge.
- The river bends significantly as it approaches the valley, creating a natural barrier for the local wildlife.

### 4. to force submission

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone do what you want or follow your rules.

For teachers: to force someone to submit to one's will or to adapt rules to suit a specific purpose.

- He refused to bend the rules even for his best friend.
- The negotiator tried to bend the opposition to his will by threatening to withdraw the funding entirely.

### 5. a curve in a road

noun · CEFR B1

a curve in a road, river, or path.

For teachers: a curved part of a linear structure, especially a road or a watercourse.

- Slow down before you reach the sharp bend in the road.
- The driver failed to navigate the hairpin bend, resulting in the vehicle sliding off the gravel shoulder.

### 6. decompression sickness

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a painful and dangerous condition that divers get if they come to the surface too quickly.

For teachers: a condition caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood due to rapid decompression.

- The diver had to stay in a special tank to recover from the bends.
- Ascending too rapidly from a deep-sea dive can trigger the bends, necessitating immediate treatment in a hyperbaric chamber.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form: 'the bends'.

### 7. music/guitar

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

changing the sound of a note by pushing a guitar string.

For teachers: a technique where a musician changes the pitch of a note by physically pushing a string or changing air pressure.

- The guitarist added a slow bend to the final note of the solo.
- Mastering the blues requires a precise ear for the half-step bend, ensuring the pitch remains consistent with the scale.

## Examples

- The car slowed down as it approached a sharp bend in the road.
- The river makes a wide bend just before it reaches the edge of the city.
- Engineers had to reinforce the outer wall of the pipe at every bend to prevent the high-pressure fluid from causing structural fatigue over time.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.