frontier

noun

fron·​tier ˌfrən-ˈtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
ˈfrən-ˌtir,
frän-ˈtir,
ˈfrän-ˌtir How to pronounce frontier (audio)
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 humanitiesR. 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

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.
With new capabilities being added to AI systems at a steady rate—in October, frontier AI lab Anthropic introduced the ability for its model to directly control a computer, still in beta—the complexity of governing this technology will only increase. Tharin Pillay, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024 This series in collaboration with the cast and crew has proven there is a hunger to explore new frontiers in an episodic format, where actors have freedom to challenge themselves and take risks. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024 Nieva: One interesting thing about this moment is the big AI frontier labs are getting tons of attention. Richard Nieva, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 The frontier region has been particularly tense this month. David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near frontier

Cite this Entry

“Frontier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frontier. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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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