Final frontier
Meaning
The ultimate limit of exploration or discovery, often representing a vast and challenging unknown domain.
Origin
The concept of a 'final frontier'—an ultimate boundary or challenge—has long captivated human imagination, but it wasn't until the mid-20th century that the phrase found its definitive home. When Gene Roddenberry's science fiction series, Star Trek, premiered in 1966, its iconic opening monologue declared, 'Space: the final frontier.' This single line, uttered at the beginning of nearly every episode, indelibly linked the phrase to the vast, unexplored cosmos. It transformed 'final frontier' into a potent symbol not just for outer space, but for any grand, uncharted territory awaiting human discovery and courage, firmly embedding it into the global lexicon as an emblem of endless potential.
Examples
- For humanity, space is often considered the final frontier, holding countless mysteries yet to be uncovered.
- Many scientists believe that understanding the human brain remains the final frontier in neuroscience.