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

See Examples For:

uncharted territory

Smart, entertaining and surprising, they offer reassurance that adventurous playwriting is not only alive and well but branching out into uncharted territory.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

It’s clear painkillers are somewhat uncharted territory for Lilly—not a market where the company has established a presence in recent years or signaled any major plans.

From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 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

The astonishing results capped a decade of technological and training innovation that has pushed the sport into uncharted territory over road racing’s most iconic distance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

And like the Oregon Trail, I wouldn’t have to pioneer the uncharted territory of Soojin finding Emily “not so bad.”

From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan