frontier

noun

fron·​tier ˌfrən-ˈtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
ˈfrən-ˌtir,
frän-ˈtir,
ˈfrän-ˌtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
1
a
: a border between two countries
the frontier between Canada and the U.S.
b
obsolete : a stronghold on a frontier
2
a
: a region that forms the margin of settled or developed territory
were sent on an expedition to explore the western frontier
b
: the farthermost limits of knowledge or achievement in a particular subject
frontiers in immunology
c
: a line of division between different or opposed things
the frontiers separating science and the humanitiesR. W. Clark
d
: a new field for exploitative or developmental activity
… the brain lies before us as one of the last scientific frontiers here on earth.Robert Klitzman
frontier adjective

Examples of frontier in a Sentence

the frontier between Canada and the U.S. They were sent on an expedition to explore the western frontier.
Recent Examples on the Web One final frontier in this regard is leather, which has been the standard interior material for luxury cars for decades, along with an almost infinite number of other luxury products. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024 Praise also to director Walter Hill, who captures the emotional extremes of frontier life, bringing the story of Deadwood to life with a force and an intelligence That is most impressive. Barry Garron, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 My determination to move for this cursed love was another frontier in this lineage. Megan Nolan, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024 Aside from new products, Huffman also grew increasingly focused on another frontier for growth: overseas expansion. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 That’s a sobering reminder that the final frontier remains an exclusive and elusive place for members of our species. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 How to revive the free spirit of that frontier past? Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 On the other hand, the expansion gives Purvis sufficient time to dwell on period-establishing and character-developing details often glossed over in films depicting the struggle for survival in 19th-century frontier days. Joe Leydon, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Across the border, Israel’s bombardment edges closer to some two million people hemmed in between the southern Gazan city of Rafah and Egypt’s frontier. Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frontier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fronter, from Anglo-French frountere, fronter, from front

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of frontier was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near frontier

Cite this Entry

“Frontier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frontier. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

frontier

noun
1
: a border between two countries
2
a
: a region that forms the edge of the settled part of a country
b
: the outer limits of knowledge or achievement
the frontiers of science
frontier adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on frontier

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