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
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
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.
Under the direction of point guard Kaitlyn Chen, Jocytė planted herself underneath the basket for Golden State’s out-of-bounds play. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 Nothing else matters, such as efforts to measure applicants’ cultural backgrounds, empathy, compassion and interpersonal skills — to list non-academic factors the DOJ suggests should be out-of-bounds for admissions committees. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 Atlanta committed multiple turnovers in the second quarter, including offensive fouls and costly out-of-bounds errors, while struggling to capitalize at the free-throw line. Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 May 2026 Richards had made disparaging comments about women’s bodies and out-of-bounds discourse on Jewish and Asian people as well as little people and the mentally disabled. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for out-of-bounds

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of out-of-bounds was in 1798

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Out-of-bounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/out-of-bounds. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

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
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