out-of-bounds

adverb or adjective

ˌau̇t-ə(v)-ˈbau̇n(d)z 

: outside the prescribed or conventional boundaries or limits

If the Frisbee hits the ground or soars out-of-bounds, it changes hands.

—John Bowermaster

Only a few yards over the green are out-of-bounds markers.

—Jeff Gerth

Our slate is going to have edgier films that aren't exactly out-of-bounds for children, but that are really made for more sophisticated audiences.

—David Hochman

Examples of out-of-bounds in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Denver was trying to break a tie with a baseline out-of-bounds play when Portland’s Toumani Camara reached around Jokic from behind, grabbing the ball — and seemingly grabbing a lot of Jokic, as well — to earn a tie-up call. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2025

The resort’s 4,139-foot vertical drop is punctuated by legendary runs and zones that would be considered out-of-bounds at other resorts. —Charles Curkin, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025

Zone can disrupt the flow of a game, slow the pace of play, diffuse a potentially great after-timeout play call or limit an opponent’s out-of-bounds playbook. —Jim Root, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Automate detection of out-of-bounds activity, such as large-scale deletions or unusual API calls, and trigger alerts or containment actions. —Tannu Jiwnani, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for out-of-bounds

• abounds
• backgrounds
• campgrounds
• confounds
• expounds
• fairgrounds
• foregrounds
• foxhounds
• greyhounds
• playgrounds
• propounds
• rebounds

Kids Definition

out-of-bounds

adverb or adjective

ˌau̇t-ə(v)-ˈbau̇n(d)z

: outside the limits of the playing area

the pass went out-of-bounds