adj Obliged to do something, often by law, duty, or promise.
- The company is bound by contract to deliver the goods on time.
- As a witness, you are bound to tell the truth in court.
- I feel bound by my promise, even though it has become inconvenient.
adj Heading toward a particular place.
- The ferry is bound for Calais.
- Is this train bound for Manchester, or does it stop at Crewe?
- The cargo ship, bound for Hull, left the harbor at dawn.
adj Certain or very likely to happen.
- With that much rain, flooding was bound to happen.
- If you keep leaving things to the last minute, you are bound to make mistakes.
- She practices daily, so she is bound to pass the exam.
noun A limit or boundary, often used in the plural.
- His behavior was well within the bounds of the law.
- Some of the fans' jokes went beyond the bounds of good taste.
- Her curiosity knew no bounds, and she asked questions about everything.
verb To leap or spring, moving forward in jumps.
- The dog bounded across the field to greet them.
- The deer bounded away into the trees when we came near.
- Children bounded down the stairs on the first morning of the holidays.
