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

Our splitboard crew embarked on mini-epics in these out-of-bounds zones, grateful to the Crystal Express quad for the boost before resorting to skintracks and bootpacks. —Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 15 Oct. 2024

And Denver seemed intent on running a lot of plays for him Sunday, including one creative baseline out-of-bounds design in which Porter floated the inbound pass to Aaron Gordon in the lane, ran around a Jokic screen and buried an open 3 off the catch from Gordon. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2024

Unlike in the backcountry, ski areas have a ski patrol on staff in case anything goes wrong, giving newer backcountry skiers a sense of security that doesn’t exist in out-of-bounds terrain. —Josh Laskin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024

Trent toe-tapped just inside the out-of-bounds line, fell down with the ball secured, then got up and fell again, face-planting amid the celebration. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

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