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 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 Artificial Intelligence: The Frontier Of Hyper-Personalization AI and machine learning represent the frontier in the evolution of personalized marketing. Don Dodds, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Walmart is buying budget TV manufacturer Vizio for $2.3 billion as the retail giant seeks new frontiers for its advertising business, the companies said Tuesday. Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 The latest frontier in the world of stealth wealth is hotel merchandise, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024 Warriors, teachers, nurturers, givers, inspiring leaders, frontier breakers, individual and driven. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2024 Beyond uniform choices and Congressional debates over space militarization, the true challenge for Space Force leaders lies in shaping a culture suited to this new frontier. Charles Beames, Forbes, 28 Feb. 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 19 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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