bonding
The process of developing a close emotional relationship. / To join two things together using a chemical or physical adhesive. / To form a strong emotional connection with another person.
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: bondingspast: bondedpp: bondeding: bonding
This word carries a heavy emotional weight when applied to humans, suggesting a deep, almost biological glue that binds people together. It is frequently used in psychology and parenting contexts to describe the initial, instinctive attachment that creates a lifelong security bridge between a caregiver and a child.
In technical or industrial settings, the term shifts to a literal sense of adhesion. Here, it implies a permanent, high-strength fusion where two separate entities become a single unit, often through heat, pressure, or chemical reaction.
Uncountable when referring to the general process of forming a relationship. Countable when referring to specific activities designed to create a connection, such as a bonding exercise.