# border

/ˈbɔɹdɝ/ (US) · /bˈɔːdɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/border
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. political frontier

noun · CEFR B1

the official line that separates two countries or regions.

For teachers: the line or frontier area separating political or geographical regions.

- We had to show our passports when we crossed the border into Canada.
- The treaty established a new international border along the mountain range, effectively ending decades of territorial disputes between the two nations.

### 2. outer edge

noun · CEFR B1

the edge or boundary of an object or a piece of land.

For teachers: the outer edge or perimeter of a physical object or defined area.

- The artist painted a thin gold border around the edge of the frame.
- The document was formatted with a wide border to allow space for the editor to write handwritten notes in the margins.

### 3. garden strip

noun · CEFR B2

a long, narrow area in a garden where plants or flowers are grown.

For teachers: a strip of ground, typically at the edge of a lawn or path, in which ornamental plants are grown.

- She planted colorful tulips in the flower border along the garden path.
- The landscape architect designed a herbaceous border that would provide a succession of blooms from early spring through late autumn.

### 4. to be next to

verb · CEFR B1

to be right next to another country or area.

For teachers: to lie adjacent to or share a boundary with another geographical entity.

- France borders several countries, including Spain, Italy, and Germany.
- The national park borders a densely populated urban area, creating unique challenges for wildlife management and conservation efforts.

Usage: The verb is transitive when describing geographical location.

### 5. to be almost like something

verb · CEFR B2

to be very close to a certain quality or feeling, usually a negative one.

For teachers: to approach or come near to a specified state or quality; to verge on.

- His rude behavior borders on being completely unacceptable.
- The critic argued that the film's extreme violence bordered on the gratuitous, overshadowing its otherwise compelling narrative.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

## Examples

- The border between the two countries is closed.
- You can change the thickness and color of the border around your text box in the settings menu.
- While the physical border remains heavily guarded, the cultural exchange between the neighboring regions continues to flourish through shared language and traditions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.