out-of-bounds
adverb or adjective
: outside the prescribed or conventional boundaries or limits
If the Frisbee hits the ground or soars out-of-bounds, it changes hands.—
John Bowermaster
John BowermasterOnly a few yards over the green are out-of-bounds markers.—Jeff Gerth
Jeff GerthOur 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
David HochmanExamples of out-of-bounds in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On the game-winner, Quickley came around a screen on an out-of-bounds play and hit the shot over a contest from Sion James.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Late in the third quarter of Monday’s 112-105 loss to the Pistons, Gonzalez was beaten for a layup off a sideline out-of-bounds, then turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, leading to a fast-break dunk for Detroit.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
After a review, Bane received a technical foul — his second of the season for throwing a ball at an out-of-bounds opponent.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
The second one came with 4:41 left, after Pfeifer gave Utah Valley the ball on an out-of-bounds play under the basket.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-of-bounds
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eric Koreen, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Late in the third quarter of Monday’s 112-105 loss to the Pistons, Gonzalez was beaten for a layup off a sideline out-of-bounds, then turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, leading to a fast-break dunk for Detroit.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
After a review, Bane received a technical foul — his second of the season for throwing a ball at an out-of-bounds opponent.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
The second one came with 4:41 left, after Pfeifer gave Utah Valley the ball on an out-of-bounds play under the basket.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-of-bounds
Cite this Entry
“Out-of-bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out-of-bounds. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
