What does "bonds" mean?

1. (connections between people) strong feelings of friendship, love, or shared ideas that join people together. 2. (financial investments) official documents where you lend money to a government or company to earn interest. 3. (physical restraints) ropes, chains, or other things used to tie someone up or keep them prisoner.

bonds

US //ˈbɑndz// UK //bˈɒndz// bonds

1 connections between people (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

strong feelings of friendship, love, or shared ideas that join people together.

the emotional or social ties that unite individuals or groups within a community or family.

Example

The shared experience of the long journey created strong bonds between the travelers.

Example

The program aims to strengthen the social bonds between different generations in the local neighborhood through shared gardening projects.
- divisions
- estrangement
2 financial investments (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Law

official documents where you lend money to a government or company to earn interest.

fixed-income instruments representing loans made by investors to borrowers, typically corporate or governmental.

Example

Many people invest in government bonds because they are considered very safe.

Example

The central bank decided to purchase long-term government bonds to stabilize the national economy during the fiscal crisis.
- securities
- investments
- stocks
- equities

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3 physical restraints (n.)
C1 Advanced Literary

ropes, chains, or other things used to tie someone up or keep them prisoner.

physical restraints or shackles used to prevent movement or maintain captivity.

Example

The prisoner finally managed to break his bonds and escape into the forest.

Example

The poem uses the image of broken bonds to symbolize the nation's struggle for independence from colonial rule.
- shackles
- chains
- fetters