A ligatureA thing or mark that joins separate parts into one. is something used to tie or bind things together, or the act of binding itself. The word also has more specializedUsed for one particular purpose or field, not general use. meanings in writing, music, medicine, and instrumentA tool or device made for a specific task or purpose. parts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈlɪɡəˌtʃɝ/
Easy pronunciation: LIG-uh-cher (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable, with a reduced second syllable and a rhotic ending.
Used here in the sense of the act of tying or binding things together.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Ligature Meaning
the act of tying or binding things together
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of tying or binding things together
Example: The doctor used a ligature to stop the bleeding.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- tying — Works as a close match for the act of tying or binding.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Ligature
Meaning 2
something used to tie or bind
Part of speech: noun
Definition: something used to tie or bind
Example: The surgeon used a ligature to tie off the blood vessel.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- binder — A general substitute for something that binds, though less specific in modern use.
Meaning 3
the metal band that holds a reed on a clarinet or saxophone mouthpiece
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a metal band used to attach a reed to the mouthpiece of a clarinet or saxophone
Example: He tightened the ligature before playing the saxophone.
Meaning 4
a single written character made from two or more letters joined together
Part of speech: noun
Definition: character consisting of two or more letters combined into one
Example: The font includes a ligature for “fi.”
Meaning 5
a group of notes joined together in music
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a group of notes connected by a slur
Example: The passage is marked with a ligature in the score.
Meaning 6
surgical thread used to tie off a blood vessel
Part of speech: noun
Definition: thread used by surgeons to bind a vessel (as to constrict the flow of blood)
Example: The doctor used a ligature to tie off the artery.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Ligature Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- tying
something used to tie or bind
- binder
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse ligature with a ligature mark in typography only; the word also has medical, musical, and instrument-related senses.
- In everyday use, ligature often refers to a tie or binding, not just a special font character.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ligature mean?
Ligature most often means a tie or binding, or the act of tying or binding. It can also refer to a combined letter, a musical group of notes, a reed fastener on a woodwind instrument, or surgical thread used to tie off a vessel.
What are common synonyms for ligature?
For the main sense, the closest synonym in the supplied data is tying. For the related sense of something used to bind, binder is a possible substitute, though it is more general.
Is ligature always a typography term?
No. Typography is only one specialized sense. Ligature can also mean a binding, a medical tie, a music marking, or a part used on a clarinet or saxophone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.