frontier

[fruhn-teer, fron-, fruhn-teer]

noun

1. the part of a country that borders another country; boundary; border.

2. the land or territory that forms the furthest extent of a country's settled or inhabited regions.

3. Often frontiers.

   1. the limit of knowledge or the most advanced achievement in a particular field.

      the frontiers of physics.

   2. an outer limit in a field of endeavor, especially one in which the opportunities for research and development have not been exploited.

      the frontiers of space exploration.

4. Mathematics.,  boundary.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or located on the frontier.

   a frontier town.

frontier

/ frʌnˈtɪə, ˈfrʌntɪə /

noun

1. 1. the region of a country bordering on another or a line, barrier, etc, marking such a boundary

   2. ( as modifier )

      a frontier post

2. 1. the edge of the settled area of a country

   2. ( as modifier )

      the frontier spirit

3. (often plural) the limit of knowledge in a particular field

   the frontiers of physics have been pushed back

Other Word Forms

• frontierless adjective
• frontierlike adjective
• semifrontier noun
• transfrontier adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frontier¹

1350–1400; Middle English frounter < Old French frontier, equivalent to front (in the sense of opposite side; front ) + -ier -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of frontier¹

C14: from Old French frontiere , from front (in the sense: part which is opposite); see _front

Synonym Study

See boundary.

Example Sentences

She adds, “I always had a freedom about me, and Playboy was a chance to express it. It was a final frontier in breaking out of what people might have boxed me in as.”

From Los Angeles Times

While it has not proven quite so straightforward, breaching that frontier before the World Championships will inspire belief that she can achieve a first global podium following her fourth-place finish in Budapest two years ago.

From BBC

As the restaurant wrote on Facebook: “Discover new meat frontiers. Experience the out of this world flavor of Impossible Sausage Made From Plants next time you Build Your Own Breakfast.”

From Salon

“I think it’s a new frontier. We’re at a point of really cracking the ceiling to longevity in rap.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the world’s richest man has also made leaps forward in vehicle electrification, space exploration and other frontiers, and can’t be underestimated.

From Los Angeles Times