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

The first Firefox issue is a critical out-of-bounds access flaw in Firefox’s JavaScript engine tracked as CVE-2025-4918 reported by Edouard Bochin and Tao Yan from Palo Alto Networks working with Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative. —Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

While parallel to the court, just inches above the floor, Brown reached his left arm well past the out-of-bounds line to bat the ball back into play. —Jay King, New York Times, 15 May 2025

Then, with just 10 seconds remaining, a successful coach’s challenge from Chris Finch led to the officials overturning an out-of-bounds call on Edwards to a foul on James and free throws for Edwards. —Matias Grez, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025

Avoid shearing shrubs and perennials; remove out-of-bounds shoots with hand pruners. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 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