Meaning & use

bound

adjective·Academic

Traveling toward or intending to reach a particular destination.

See it in a sentence

The ship was bound for Lisbon when it ran into a fierce storm.

Passengers bound for the connecting flight were told to hurry to gate twelve.

A note on using this word

Bound meaning "headed toward" is always followed by "for," while a separate, unrelated sense means obligated, as in "legally bound to comply."

Words with a similar meaning

headeddestined

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Obligated by law, duty, or a promise to do something.

As a witness, she was bound by law to tell the truth in court.

Make it your own

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