border
border Lexical Profile
border Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A line separating two political or geographical areas, especially countries, states, or provinces.
"Travelers must present their passports when crossing the international border."
The outer edge, margin, or decorative band around the circumference of a surface, page, or fabric.
"The antique tablecloth featured an intricate lace border along all four sides."
A long, narrow strip of soil planted with flowers or shrubs along the edge of a lawn, path, or garden wall.
"She spent the weekend weeding the herbaceous border beside the stone pathway."
• verb
To form an edge, boundary, or barrier along or around a place or object.
"Tall pine trees border the northern side of the meadow."
To lie adjacent to another country, region, or area, sharing a common boundary.
"Portugal borders Spain along the western side of the Iberian Peninsula."
To come very close to an extreme state, quality, or condition (usually followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"His meticulous attention to detail sometimes borders on obsession."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse with the homophone 'boarder', which refers to a person who rents a room and meals at a house or boarding school.
• Rhymes for border
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English bordure, borrowed from Old French bordure ('edge, seam, or shield border'), which is derived from Frankish *bord ('side, edge, or ship's side').