frontier

noun

fron·​tier ˌfrən-ˈtir 

ˈfrən-ˌtir,

frän-ˈtir,

ˈfrän-ˌtir 

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

Synonyms

• border
• borderland
• march

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

Bitcoin Can Adapt If Necessary Quantum computers represent an exciting frontier in technology, but remain far from posing a credible threat to Bitcoin’s cryptography. —Ansel Lindner, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

This 31-year-old Google alum raised $75 million for a frontier tech fund backed by Marc Andreessen and a cofounder of OpenAI BYEmma Hinchliffe December 12, 2024 Most Popular 1 day ago Tech Amazon founder Jeff Bezos kept his base salary modest during his 20 years as CEO. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2024

Pioneer Christmas Experience a classic 19th-century Yuletide party on the frontier. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024

Quantum computing is considered as the next frontier for many tech companies. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

frontier

noun

fron·​tier ˌfrən-ˈti(ə)r  frän- 

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