frontier

noun fron·tier \ ˌfrən-ˈtir , ˈfrən-ˌtir , frän-ˈtir , ˈfrän-ˌtir \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of frontier

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 humanities
—R. 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

See frontier defined for English-language learners

See frontier defined for kids

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 of frontier from the Web

SpaceX supporters say tradition and old ways of thinking can be the enemy of innovation and thwart efforts to open the frontier of space.

— christian davenportrimmed, chicagotribune.com, "NASA advisers say SpaceX rocket technology could put lives at risk," 6 May 2018
The initiative, backed by Mr. Xi, aims for China to dominate future frontiers of manufacturing and industry, from robotics and aviation to new-energy vehicles.

— lingling wei, WSJ, "U.S. and China Make Scant Progress in Trade Talks," 4 May 2018
One day in another history tutorial, the lecturer had the class read a book examining the settling of the frontier from the indigenous point of view.

— abe streep, Outside Online, "The Tribes v. Donald Trump," 1 May 2018
There are many valid reasons for patients to participate in clinical research, not the least of which is the desire to expand the frontiers of our understanding of cancer and our ability to treat it in the future.

— jonathan kimmelman, STAT, "Cancer centers sell out science when they advertise clinical trials as treatment," 25 Apr. 2018
That part of Georgia, Clayton County, was on the edge of the western frontier.

— leslie carroll, Vanities, "How Meghan Markle Was Destined for the Spotlight," 24 Apr. 2018
The Nazis idolized many aspects of American society: the cult of sport, Hollywood production values, the mythology of the frontier.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "How American Racism Influenced Hitler," 23 Apr. 2018
Many of the essays grapple with the subtext of another persistently elusive frontier: the mind, with its ability to sustain invisible wounds, wrestle with anxiety, fall in love, and, sometimes, heal.

— je banach, Vogue, "Roxane Gay’s New Pop Up Magazine Will Change How You Think About Your Body," 11 Apr. 2018
Indeed, in addition to the ecosystem developing directly around Spotify and other streaming services, music also serves as a fruitful guinea pig for the frontiers of tech innovation.

— cherie hu, Billboard, "As Streaming Fuels Music Industry's Growth, More VC & Finance Veterans Move In," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frontier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of frontier

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

frontier Synonyms

Synonyms

backcountry, backland(s), backwater, backwoods, bush, hinterland, outback, up-country;

Phrases

(the) back of beyond;

FRONTIER Defined for English Language Learners

frontier

noun

Definition of frontier for English Language Learners

: a border between two countries
: a distant area where few people live
: the limits of knowledge in a particular field

FRONTIER Defined for Kids

frontier

noun fron·tier \ ˌfrən-ˈtir \

Definition of frontier for Students

1 : a border between two countries

2 : the edge of the settled part of a country

frontier

adjective

Definition of frontier for Students

: of, living in, or situated in the frontier

frontier towns

frontier families

Learn More about frontier

See words that rhyme with frontier Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for frontier Spanish Central: Translation of frontier Nglish: Translation of frontier for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of frontier for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frontier

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frontier

Definition of frontier

frontier

Examples of frontier in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of frontier

frontier Synonyms

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FRONTIER Defined for English Language Learners

frontier

Definition of frontier for English Language Learners

FRONTIER Defined for Kids

frontier

Definition of frontier for Students

frontier

Definition of frontier for Students

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