uncharted territory

American  

[uhn-chahr-tid ter-i-tawr-ee] / ˌʌnˈtʃɑr tɪd ˈtɛr ɪˌtɔr i /

noun

1. an unfamiliar area or situation, especially one that has or seems to have no maps or guidelines.

   At that time, the American West was uncharted territory.

   We suddenly found ourselves in uncharted territory as the parents of a medically fragile child.

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Etymology

Origin of uncharted territory

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

On the other hand, markets are in uncharted territory when it comes to the sheer volume of stock changing hands.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Amazon Prime announced “The Greatest,” a Michael B. Jordan-produced mini-series on legendary heavyweight fighter Muhammad Ali, not exactly uncharted territory.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

“This is uncharted territory, and we need to be very careful to get it right the first time,” said ABA CEO Rob Nichols.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

We’re in uncharted territory, and Judges Lasnik and Fogel are bravely opening up about what this volatility means for an independent judiciary, and what we should do about it.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

Some took off from the gate running, yet others took baby steps through uncharted territory.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers