frontier

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

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

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frontier

adjective

See frontier defined for English-language learners

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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

At some point, the admiral would walk off by himself and look out to the north over the frontier, as if searching for his son.

— michael e. ruane, Washington Post, "John McCain faced death twice as a Navy fighter pilot and survived brutal years as a POW," 20 July 2017
Out in the western frontier, the American soldiers fought Indians more than the British.

— jeff suess, Cincinnati.com, "Simon Kenton, legendary frontiersman, saved the life of Daniel Boone," 18 July 2017
The rise in refugee resettlement in Mexico has paralleled a decrease in immigration to the United States, with apprehensions by U.S. Border Patrol down sharply at the frontier — especially of unaccompanied children and families like Cruz’s.

— Washington Post, "More families fleeing Central America resettling in Mexico," 5 July 2017
The rise in refugee resettlement in Mexico has paralleled a decrease in immigration to the United States, with apprehensions by U.S. Border Patrol down sharply at the frontier — especially of unaccompanied children and families like Cruz’s.

— christopher sherman, The Seattle Times, "More families fleeing Central America resettling in Mexico," 4 July 2017
Their analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that seniors at risk for memory decline received the biggest perks from eating chocolate.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Science Says Eating Chocolate Every Day Is Good for Your Brain," 3 July 2017
President George Washington’s new administration faced a broiling frontier war in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes regions, where Indian nations had long been resisting American settlement.

— david preston, WSJ, "President Washington’s Indian War," 28 June 2017
Craft spirits could be the next frontier, said Hammond and his supporters.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Plans for distillery in Carlsbad's Barrio stir up a spirited debate," 23 June 2017
If Mars is humanity’s next frontier, Surviving Mars certainly could inspire the generation that gets us there.

— hayden dingman, PCWorld, "Surviving Mars captures the excitement and dread of launching a colony mission," 22 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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frontier Synonyms

Synonyms

border, borderland, march

Related Words

no-man's-land

FRONTIER Defined for English Language Learners

frontier

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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

play

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

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FRONTIER Defined for English Language Learners

frontier

Definition of frontier for English Language Learners

FRONTIER Defined for Kids

frontier

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frontier

Definition of frontier for Students

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