bourn

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈbȯrn  ˈbu̇rn 

variants or bourne

: stream, brook

bourne

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈbȯrn  ˈbu̇rn 

variants or less commonly bourn

1

: boundary, limit

2

: goal, destination

Synonyms of bourn

Noun (1)

• brook
• creek

Noun (2)

• purpose
• plan
• intent
• aim
• goal
• intention
• idea
• object
• thing
• objective
• ambition
• meaning

Examples of bourn in a Sentence

Noun (1)

idyllic days that were spent rambling the length of the bourn that flowed through that peaceful vale

Noun (2)

still searching for the bourne that would give his life meaning

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ferndale's top law enforcement officer said the city may have bourne the brunt of brutal violence but for the swift actions of federal agents to thwart what prosecutors call a terrorism plot. — Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English burn, bourne — more at burn

Noun (2)

Middle French bourne, from Old French bodne — more at bound entry 6

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bourn

• borne
• bourne
• corn
• morn
• morne
• mourn
• porn
• scorn
• shorn
• sworn
• thorn
• torn