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

Another way to look at it, however, is that the new appreciation for the tech giant is partly because of London-based Deepmind's research into all aspects of frontier technology.

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It is tempting to dismiss political violence as a leftover from some “primitive” or “frontier” stage of American history, when politicians and their supporters supposedly lacked restraint or higher moral standards.

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

Read more on Salon