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• out-of-bounds
  out-of-bounds

  adjective

  being beyond or passing the limits or boundaries of a field, course, etc., marking the area within which the ball, puck, or the like is legally in play.
• out of bounds
  out of bounds

  adjective

  (often foll by to) not to be entered (by); barred (to)

out-of-bounds

American  

[out-uhv-boundz] / ˈaʊt əvˈbaʊndz /

adjective

1. Sports. being beyond or passing the limits or boundaries of a field, course, etc., marking the area within which the ball, puck, or the like is legally in play.

2. beyond any established boundaries or prescribed limits; forbidden; prohibited.

3. further than or beyond established limits, as of behavior or thought.

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out of bounds British  

adjective

1. (often foll by to) not to be entered (by); barred (to)

   out of bounds to civilians

2. outside specified or prescribed limits

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out of bounds Idioms  

1. Beyond established limits, breaking the rules, unreasonable. For example, Calling the teacher a liar—that's out of bounds. This expression alludes to the boundaries of the playing area in numerous sports and to the rules applying to them. Its figurative use dates from the 1940s. [Early 1800s] Also see within bounds.

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Etymology

Origin of out-of-bounds

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out-of-bounds out of bounds

You can slow cook a 20-pound turkey waiting for NBA replay to resolve a contested out-of-bounds play.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Her degree also relied on specialist equipment, such as cameras and lighting, which could usually be rented through the university but was also out-of-bounds during Covid.

From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2026

James capped the scoring streak with a no-look, alley-oop pass to Jayson Tatum on an out-of-bounds play, zipping the ball toward the rim where the Boston Celtics star slammed it with two hands.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2024

Official Alex Billeter waved off the score, ruling the ball was out-of-bounds when attacker Kyra Carusa got a touch on it at the end line to send an assist into the box.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 29, 2024

I’m waiting for your letter giving me your word you won’t stray out-of-bounds again.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

On the field Friday, a referee shouted "stop!" as a shot flew out of bounds -- prompting every robot to freeze instantly.

From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026

“Communicating directly to the business community what conduct is out of bounds serves that function, and live business television is a very effective means to reach a broad audience,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026

In practice, it means that olive groves, fields with crops and even the cemetery are, in effect, now out of bounds to their owners in the village.

From BBC ● May 10, 2026

He returned the favor by diving out of bounds for a steal on the next possession and the save led to a three-pointer from Doncic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026

At the next lull, when the ball went out of bounds, Zubaid was set upon by his teammates as though he’d scored the winning goal.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John