frontier

noun

fron·​tier ˌfrən-ˈtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
ˈfrən-ˌtir
frän-ˈtir
ˈfrän-ˌtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
Synonyms of frontiernext
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
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

Synonyms of frontier

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wolfram Indigenous Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton’s new movie is billed as a period Western set on the 1930s colonial frontier. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026 The wall, whose construction began in the year 122, was built to mark the northwestern boundary of the Roman Empire, serving as a frontier, customs post, and reminder of the reach of power. Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 But Fractyl is hardly alone in pursuing this therapeutic frontier. Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Dec. 2025 Even as America's western frontier was on the precipice of being overrun, this reporter had come to witness a run on the land. CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frontier

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frontier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frontier. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

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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