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border Definition

bor·der (bôr′dər)

noun

  1. an edge or a part near an edge; margin; side
  2. a dividing line between two countries, states, etc. or the land along it; frontier
  3. a narrow strip, often ornamental, along an edge; fringe; edging
  4. an ornamental strip of flowers or shrubs along the edge of a garden, walk, etc.

Etymology: ME & OFr bordure < border, to border < Frank *bord, margin: see board

transitive verb

  1. to provide with a border
  2. to extend along the edge of; bound

adjective

of, forming, or near a border

border Idioms

border on

or border upon
  1. to be next to or adjoining
  2. to be like; almost be his grief borders on madness

the Borders

the area surrounding the boundary between Scotland and England

border Synonyms

border

n.

  1. Edge

    margin, hem, trim; see decoration 2, edge 1, fringe 2, rim, trimming 1.

  2. Boundary

    boundary, frontier, outpost, perimeter; see boundary, edge 1. See syn. study at rim.

border Synonyms

border

v.

be adjacent to, adjoin, abut (on); see join 3.

border Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cross: Crossing the border into Malawi, we soon reach the shores of its huge lake.
  • straddle: Left her straddling the borders of life and death.
  • transcend: Their sound is a fusion of jazz, dance, R&B, soul, ethnic and popular music that transcends traditional borders.

Adjective modifier

  • herbaceous: Up two steps to lawned area with herbaceous border.
  • decorative: They could also create a decorative border for a piece of work.
  • southern: Troubles behind, Maggie reaches Minnesota's southern border, two hours from her new home.
  • Welsh: Chester 2 County town of Cheshire, near the Welsh border.
  • Syrian: RAF planes recently were bombing Iraqis in support of the latest US attempt to " root out terrorists " close to the Syrian border.
  • northern: It has a short Atlantic coastline but its northern borders lie some 750 miles inland.

Modifies a noun

  • collie: The party was stolen by Christophe who has a new puppy - a two month old, very serious looking border collie called.. .
  • crossing: You can reach Slovenia via one of the border crossings with Italy, Austria, Hungary or Croatia.
  • guard: Ten were caught by border guards and the rest have disappeared, she said.
  • width: Waypoint dot symbols Waypoint dot symbols not displayed when track border width very small.
  • checkpoint: You had to leave your maturity, dress sense and need to keep regular hours at the various border checkpoints around here.
  • reiver: It is a pretty village, originally consisting of bastle houses designed to withstand attack by the Scots or border reivers.

Noun used with modifier

  • shrub: They are suitable for mixed, herbaceous or shrub borders, wildflower or rock gardens.
  • cross: They have taken the cross border trade by storm.
  • english-welsh: Luckilly I used to live on the English-Welsh border and so journeyed into Wales a lot.
  • flower: A cottage garden flower border runs along the front of the house.
  • county: But their use to be a time when roads varied dramatically as you crossed county borders.
border Quotes

Four and twenty Yankees, feeling very dry, Went across the border to get a drink of rye. When the rye was opened, theYanks began to sing, 'God bless America, but God save the King!'

—Anonymous

The Soviet Union remains a superpower in the military and nuclear senseöonly its economy is in difficulty. People want me to lead the troops out or to chuck them over the border, but I have neither the strength nor the will to do it.

—Walesa, Lech

This is the Night Mail crossing the border Bringing the cheque and the postal order.

—Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)

They sought her baith by bower and ha'; The ladie was not seen! She's o'er the Border and awa' Wi' Jock of Hazeldean.

—Scott, Sir Walter

The way was long, the wind was cold, The Minstrel was infirm and old; His withered cheek, and tresses grey, Seemed to have known a better day; The harp, his sole remaining joy, Was carried byan orphan boy, The last of all the Bards was he, Who sung of Border chivalry.

—Scott, Sir Walter

O, young Lochinvar is come out of the west, Through all the wide Border his steed was the best; And save his good broadsword he weapon had none, He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone. So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.

—Scott, Sir Walter