Verband

Verband is a German noun that refers to a binding or union of entities, and to the organization formed by such unions. The core sense is that of a group held together by common interests, goals, or functions. The word derives from verbinden, “to bind,” and shares roots with related terms such as Vereinigung (association), Verein (club/association), and Föderation (federation).

In modern usage, Verband typically designates an organized body representing certain sectors or professions, often at a national or regional level. Examples include professional associations (Berufsverband), trade or economic associations (Wirtschaftsverband), and sports federations (Sportverband). It can also refer to umbrella or coordinating bodies that oversee several member organizations, sometimes described as a federation of associations.

In the medical field, “Verband” denotes a bandage or dressing applied to an injury, as in Wundverband. The term is widely used in hospital and first aid contexts to describe both the material and the dressing process.

In administrative contexts in Germany, a “Verbandsgemeinde” is a collective municipality—a group of municipalities sharing a common administration under a single governing body. The term Verband in this setting signals a federated arrangement rather than a single, standalone entity.

See also terms such as Verein (club/association) and Vereinigung (union). The usage of Verband varies by context, but across disciplines it consistently conveys the idea of a binding or organized collaboration among members.