Synonyms

outbound

American

[out-bound] / ˈaʊtˈbaʊnd /

adjective

outward bound.

an outbound freighter.

outbound British

/ ˈaʊtˌbaʊnd /

adjective

going out; outward bound

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of outbound

First recorded in 1590–1600; out- + -bound ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On top of that, New York Penn Station will shut down all other outbound New Jersey trains beginning four hours before each of the eight matches being hosted at MetLife.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

Data from consultancy Grant Thornton shows that 162 Indian companies spent more than $18bn on outbound acquisitions in 2025 - a 34% increase from the previous year.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

House prices in Melbourne, Australia, have lagged considerably amid ample construction and pandemic-era outbound migration.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The number of outbound TEUs fell 0.5% to about 128,000 in April.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

They met no great storms, and steered steadily enough by the compass and by the star Tolbegren, taking a course somewhat northward of their outbound way.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023