homebound

¹ American  

[hohm-bound] / ˈhoʊmˈbaʊnd /

adjective

1. going home.

   homebound commuters.

---

homebound ² American  

[hohm-bound] / ˈhoʊmˌbaʊnd /

adjective

1. confined to one's home, especially because of illness.

---

Etymology

Origin of homebound¹

First recorded in 1880–85; home + bound ⁴

Origin of homebound²

First recorded in 1880–85; home + bound ¹

Example Sentences

Less than a year into his tenure, the pandemic hit, and homebound consumers flocked to familiar brands like Kraft mac and cheese.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

It got to the point where even sitting became uncomfortable for Victoria, and she was largely homebound until her baby was born.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

She began dabbling after a foot injury left her homebound, and she was thrilled to finally find a craft that felt accessible to her.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2025

A revival of urban population growth would signal that in spite of the headwinds—the lure of a homebound, digital-first life in the ’burbs—cities still offer a product that Americans want.

From Slate • May 16, 2025

He dodged in and out among the homebound workers, shouting greetings to Kai the baker’s boy and a few other urchins he knew.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw