cutting edge

noun

1
: a sharp effect or quality
2
: the foremost part or place : vanguard
cutting-edge adjective

Example Sentences

a company that has always been on the cutting edge of the new electronic media He's a director who tries to keep his films right on the cutting edge.
Recent Examples on the Web This is supposed to be the cutting edge. Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2023 None of this is cutting edge. Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Oct. 2022 When the cordless phone was cutting edge. Deanna Janes, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 Aug. 2022 Where Akikos is grand and boisterous in its setting and presentation, Friends Only is more contained and reserved, and the funding goes into exploring the cutting edge and crafting excellence. Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Apr. 2023 Sharpen mower blades when the cutting edges begin to dull. Tom Maccubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2023 That bumps the Nanooks down to No. 16 and right on the cutting edge for the national tournament. Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Mar. 2023 Gensler helped define the cutting edge of what the office used to be, through projects with clients including Adobe, NVIDIA, and Airbnb. Anna Kramer, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2023 Countless bars, some traditional, others more cutting edge in cuisine and atmosphere, try to outdo one another with heaving displays or specialties. Chris Dwyer, CNN, 5 Mar. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cutting edge was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near cutting edge

Cite this Entry

“Cutting edge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutting%20edge. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

cutting edge

noun
1
: the sharp edge of a cutting tool
2
: the newest and most advanced area of an activity
cutting-edge adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cutting edge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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