1To tie things together into a bundle (e.g., straw, hair, bills, letters); to bundle or bind together.
古い新聞を束ねて燃えるごみの日に出した。
I bundled the old newspapers and put them out on burnable garbage day.
彼女は長い髪を後ろで束ねた。
She tied her long hair into a bundle at the back.
請求書を月ごとに束ねてファイルに入れる。
I bundle invoices by month and put them in a file.
稲わらを束ねて運搬用のロープで結んだ。
We bundled the straw and tied it with a rope for transport.
2To govern, manage, or control; to administer or put people/things under centralized control.
彼はプロジェクトのメンバーを上手く束ねて、短期間で成果を出した。
He skillfully brought the project members together and produced results in a short time.
部長はチームを束ねる役割を担っている。
The manager is responsible for coordinating the team.
彼女は複数の部署を束ねるポジションに就いた。
She took a position overseeing several departments.
3To fold or put together one's arms or hands; to clasp or join hands/arms.
彼は寒さで手を束ねて震えていた。
He folded his hands together and was shivering from the cold.
会議中、彼女は腕を束ねてうなずいた。
During the meeting she crossed her arms and nodded.