Borders: meaning, definitions and examples

Use to describe the dividing lines between countries or regions. Often used in political, geographical, and administrative contexts.

• The borders between the European countries are open for travel.
• They crossed the border into Canada without any trouble.

Often refers to limits or borders that define areas where something is acceptable, appropriate or personal limits in relationships and interactions.

• Setting personal boundaries is important for mental health.
• The boundaries of the national park are clearly marked.

Imply limits of knowledge or exploration, often in a historical or metaphorical sense. Frequently used when discussing new areas of research or undeveloped land.

• Space is often referred to as the final frontier.
• The pioneers crossed the old frontiers to settle in new lands.

Refers to the outer limits or extremities of objects, often a physical space or shape rather than regions or countries.

• Be careful not to fall off the edge of the cliff.
• The edges of the paper were slightly torn.

Best used to describe the dividing lines between countries or large areas of land. It can also refer to the edges or perimeters of areas or objects. Often related to geographical and political contexts.

• The borders between France and Germany.
• The garden is lined with beautiful flower borders.

Appropriate when talking about limits, both literal and metaphorical. Often used in contexts related to personal space, behavior standards, or responsibilities.

• Setting boundaries in a relationship is important.
• The boundaries of the property were clearly marked.

Typically refers to the act or process of separating something into parts. Can be used in contexts involving groups, opinions, or categories. Has a more formal tone and can sometimes imply discord or separation.

• The division of the project into manageable tasks.
• There are deep divisions in the community over this issue.

Best suited for describing the edges of a page or another flat surface. Also used in financial contexts to describe profit margins or differences in amounts.

• Please write within the margins of the paper.
• The company's profit margins were higher than expected.

Used to describe the geographical boundaries between two areas, such as countries or regions. This term is neutral and factual.

• The river serves as a natural border between the two countries
• The United States shares borders with Canada and Mexico

Often used in formal writing and situations to describe something that is next to or in contact with another thing.

• The two rooms adjoin through a small hallway
• Our property adjoins the park, giving us a lovely view

Typically used in more technical or formal settings, such as architecture or legal descriptions. It describes two pieces of land or structures that are next to each other.

• The new development will abut the existing residential area
• The two properties abut one another with no fence in between

Used in everyday language to describe the state of being in physical contact with something else. This term is very casual and straightforward.

• The two cars were so close, they almost touched
• Their houses touch at the corners