Bound vs. Boundary — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 27, 2024
"Bound" refers to a limit or a constraint within which one must operate, often implying an action or condition; "boundary" specifically denotes a physical or conceptual line that separates areas.
Difference Between Bound and Boundary
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Key Differences
Bound often refers to constraints or restrictions imposed by external circumstances or rules, affecting actions and decisions. Whereas boundary is used to describe a demarcation or edge that clearly separates two distinct areas, entities, or concepts.
The concept of bound can be abstract, relating to figurative limits on what is possible or permissible. On the other hand, a boundary is typically more concrete and observable, such as borders on a map or barriers in a physical space.
Bounds can influence behavior and decisions by defining the scope of what is achievable or acceptable within certain parameters. While boundaries are essential for defining ownership, jurisdiction, or responsibilities between different parties.
In a metaphorical sense, bound can also imply movement towards a destination or goal, such as in the phrase "homeward bound." Facilitators of boundaries, however, focus more on maintaining the integrity and distinctiveness of different areas or concepts.
Bounds are often internalized and can be psychological or moral, influencing personal or collective ethos. Boundaries, conversely, are usually external and are established and maintained through physical or legal means.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A limit or constraint.
A dividing line or border between two areas.
Nature
Can be abstract or concrete, often not physically marked.
Usually concrete, physically or conceptually marked.
Purpose
Defines limits within which one operates.
Separates and defines different areas or concepts.
Example Contexts
Legal bounds, personal limits.
Property lines, state borders, organizational limits.
Metaphorical Usage
Homeward bound, bound for glory.
Boundary of good taste, boundaries in relationships.
Compare with Definitions
Bound
To be on the way to a certain destination.
The ship is bound for distant shores.
Boundary
A line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.
The river forms the natural boundary between the two countries.
Bound
Constrained or compelled by law, duty, or circumstance.
They were bound by a confidentiality agreement.
Boundary
A limit of a subject or sphere of activity.
This issue falls outside the boundaries of our discussion.
Bound
A bounding movement; a leap or spring.
The deer was seen bounding across the field.
Boundary
The edge or limit of something.
They walked to the boundary of the property to inspect the fence.
Bound
Walk or run with leaping strides
Shares bounded ahead in early dealing
Louis came bounding down the stairs
Boundary
Used to define the scope of a particular field or activity.
The boundaries of science are constantly expanding.
Bound
Form the boundary of; enclose
The ground was bounded by a main road on one side and a meadow on the other
Boundary
Something that indicates bounds or limits; a limiting or bounding line.
Do not cross the boundary into the restricted area.
Bound
Past and past participle of bind
Boundary
A line which marks the limits of an area; a dividing line
A county boundary
A boundary wall
The river marks the boundary between the two regions
Bound
A leaping movement towards or over something
I went up the steps in two effortless bounds
Boundary
A hit crossing the limits of the field, scoring four or six runs.
Bound
A territorial limit; a boundary
The ancient bounds of the forest
Boundary
Something that indicates a border or limit.
Bound
Certain to be or to do or have something
There is bound to be a change of plan
Boundary
The border or limit so indicated.
Bound
Restricted or confined to a specified place
His job kept him city-bound
Boundary
The dividing line or location between two areas.
Bound
(of a book) having a specified binding
Fine leather-bound books
Boundary
The bounds, confines, or limits between immaterial things such as one’s comfort zone, privacy, or professional sphere and the realm beyond.please check this definition along with the example below
I didn’t mean to push the boundaries by sending my boss a message on Saturday night.
Bound
(of a grammatical element) occurring only in combination with another form.
Boundary
(cricket) An edge or line marking an edge of the playing field.
Bound
Going or ready to go towards a specified place
An express train bound for Edinburgh
The three moon-bound astronauts
Boundary
(cricket) An event whereby the ball is struck and either touches or passes over a boundary (with or without bouncing), usually resulting in an award of 4 (four) or 6 (six) runs respectively for the batting team.
Bound
To leap forward or upward; jump; spring
The dog bounded over the gate.
Boundary
(topology) (of a set) The set of points in the closure of a set , not belonging to the interior of that set.
Bound
To move forward by leaps or springs
The deer bounded into the woods.
Boundary
That which indicates or fixes a limit or extent, or marks a bound, as of a territory; a bounding or separating line; a real or imaginary limit.
But still his native country liesBeyond the boundaries of the skies.
That bright and tranquil stream, the boundary of Louth and Meath.
Sensation and reflection are the boundaries of our thoughts.
Bound
To spring back from a surface; rebound
The basketball bounded off the backboard.
Boundary
The line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something
Bound
To set a limit to; confine
A high wall that bounded the prison yard.
Lives that were bounded by poverty.
Boundary
A line determining the limits of an area
Bound
To constitute the boundary or limit of
A city park that was bounded by busy streets.
Boundary
The greatest possible degree of something;
What he did was beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior
To the limit of his ability
Bound
To identify the boundaries of; demarcate.
Bound
To border on another place, state, or country.
Bound
Past tense and past participle of bind.
Bound
A leap; a jump
The deer was away in a single bound.
Bound
A springing back from a surface after hitting it; a bounce
Caught the ball on the bound.
Bound
Often bounds A boundary; a limit
Our joy knew no bounds. Your remarks exceed the bounds of reason.
Bound
Bounds The territory on, within, or near limiting lines
The bounds of the kingdom.
Bound
Confined by bonds; tied
Bound hostages.
Bound
Being under legal or moral obligation
Bound by my promise.
Bound
Equipped with a cover or binding
Bound volumes.
Bound
Predetermined; certain
We're bound to be late.
Bound
Determined; resolved
Many public policy students are bound to be politicians one day.
Bound
(Linguistics) Being a form, especially a morpheme, that cannot stand as an independent word, such as a prefix or suffix.
Bound
Constipated.
Bound
Headed or intending to head in a specified direction
Commuters bound for home.
A south-bound train.
Bound
Simple past tense and past participle of bind
I bound the splint to my leg.
I had bound the splint with duct tape.
Bound
To surround a territory or other geographical entity; to form the boundary of.
France, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra bound Spain.
Kansas is bounded by Nebraska on the north, Missouri on the east, Oklahoma on the south and Colorado on the west.
Bound
To be the bound of.
Bound
(intransitive) To leap, move by jumping.
The rabbit bounded down the lane.
Bound
(transitive) To cause to leap.
To bound a horse
Bound
To rebound; to bounce.
A rubber ball bounds on the floor
Bound
To cause to rebound; to throw so that it will rebound; to bounce.
To bound a ball on the floor
Bound
(with infinitive) Obliged (to).
You are not legally bound to reply.
Bound
That cannot stand alone as a free word.
Bound
Constrained by a quantifier.
Bound
(dated) Constipated; costive.
Bound
Confined or restricted to a certain place; e.g. railbound.
Bound
Unable to move in certain conditions; e.g. snowbound.
Bound
(obsolete) Ready, prepared.
Bound
Ready to start or go (to); moving in the direction (of).
Which way are you bound?
Is that message bound for me?
Bound
(with infinitive) Very likely (to), certain to
They were bound to come into conflict eventually.
Bound
A boundary, the border which one must cross in order to enter or leave a territory.
I reached the northern bound of my property, took a deep breath and walked on.
Somewhere within these bounds you may find a buried treasure.
Bound
(mathematics) A value which is known to be greater or smaller than a given set of values.
Bound
A sizeable jump, great leap.
The deer crossed the stream in a single bound.
Bound
A spring from one foot to the other in dancing.
Bound
(dated) A bounce; a rebound.
Bound
The external or limiting line, either real or imaginary, of any object or space; that which limits or restrains, or within which something is limited or restrained; limit; confine; extent; boundary.
He hath compassed the waters with bounds.
On earth's remotest bounds.
And mete the bounds of hate and love.
Bound
A leap; an elastic spring; a jump.
A bound of graceful hardihood.
Bound
Rebound; as, the bound of a ball.
Bound
Spring from one foot to the other.
Bound
To limit; to terminate; to fix the furthest point of extension of; - said of natural or of moral objects; to lie along, or form, a boundary of; to inclose; to circumscribe; to restrain; to confine.
Where full measure only bounds excess.
Phlegethon . . .Whose fiery flood the burning empire bounds.
Bound
To name the boundaries of; as, to bound France.
Bound
To move with a sudden spring or leap, or with a succession of springs or leaps; as the beast bounded from his den; the herd bounded across the plain.
Before his lord the ready spaniel bounds.
And the waves bound beneath me as a steedThat knows his rider.
Bound
To rebound, as an elastic ball.
Bound
To make to bound or leap; as, to bound a horse.
Bound
To cause to rebound; to throw so that it will rebound; as, to bound a ball on the floor.
Bound
Restrained by a hand, rope, chain, fetters, or the like.
Bound
Inclosed in a binding or cover; as, a bound volume.
Bound
Under legal or moral restraint or obligation.
Bound
Constrained or compelled; destined; certain; - followed by the infinitive; as, he is bound to succeed; he is bound to fail.
Bound
Resolved; as, I am bound to do it.
Bound
Constipated; costive.
Bound
Ready or intending to go; on the way toward; going; - with to or for, or with an adverb of motion; as, a ship is bound to Cadiz, or for Cadiz.
Bound
A line determining the limits of an area
Bound
The line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something
Bound
A light springing movement upwards or forwards
Bound
Move forward by leaps and bounds;
The horse bounded across the meadow
The child leapt across the puddle
Can you jump over the fence?
Bound
Form the boundary of; be contiguous to
Bound
Place limits on (extent or access);
Restrict the use of this parking lot
Limit the time you can spend with your friends
Bound
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Bound
Held with another element, substance or material in chemical or physical union
Bound
Confined by bonds;
Bound and gagged hostages
Bound
Secured with a cover or binding; often used as a combining form;
Bound volumes
Leather-bound volumes
Bound
(usually followed by `to') governed by fate;
Bound to happen
An old house destined to be demolished
He is destined to be famous
Bound
Covered or wrapped with a bandage;
The bandaged wound on the back of his head
An injury bound in fresh gauze
Bound
Headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in `college-bound students';
Children bound for school
A flight destined for New York
Bound
Bound by an oath;
A bound official
Bound
Bound by contract
Bound
Confined in the bowels;
He is bound in the belly
Bound
A limit beyond which something cannot function or must not pass.
There are bounds to what one can realistically achieve.
Bound
To form the limit or boundary of an area or object.
The park is bounded by the river on the north side.
Common Curiosities
How do national boundaries differ from property boundaries?
National boundaries separate geographical areas under different governmental jurisdictions, while property boundaries separate individual ownership.
What is the difference between a bound and a boundary?
Bound refers to limits or constraints, often internal or conceptual, whereas boundary is a physical or clear demarcation that separates entities.
Can bounds be both physical and conceptual?
Yes, bounds can be physical like the boundaries of a playing field or conceptual like the limits of acceptable behavior.
How do boundaries affect property ownership?
Boundaries define the precise physical limits of property ownership and are legally recognized.
Why are boundaries important in relationships?
Boundaries help define what behaviors are acceptable and maintain respect and individuality within relationships.
Can the terms "bound" and "boundary" be used interchangeably?
While they can overlap in context, they generally should not be used interchangeably due to their distinct connotations.
How do legal bounds impact business operations?
They set the legal parameters within which businesses must operate, such as compliance with regulations.
What are some common methods for marking physical boundaries?
Fences, signs, natural landmarks, and surveyed markers are commonly used.
How do psychological bounds influence behavior?
They affect how individuals perceive and react to various situations, often guiding moral and ethical decisions.
What is an example of exceeding bounds?
Exceeding bounds might involve breaking the rules of a game or violating community standards.
What happens when boundaries are not respected?
It can lead to conflicts, misunderstandings, and legal disputes.
What role do boundaries play in international law?
They are crucial for defining the territorial limits and rights of nations, affecting diplomacy and international relations.
How can one effectively set boundaries at work?
By clearly communicating limits and expectations to colleagues and management.
How can technology help in defining boundaries?
Technology like GPS and GIS tools can help in accurately defining and mapping boundaries.
Can boundaries change over time?
Yes, boundaries can change due to legal rulings, agreements, or changes in physical landscapes.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
