先端・尖端|せんたんsentan[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpointed end; tip; point; cusp (of a leaf, crescent moon, etc.); apex (of a curve)
   ヨーロッパとアフリカの西にし海岸かいがんをとおりすぎ、アフリカ南部なんぶの先端せんたんまでとびます。↗

   Past the west coasts of Europe and Africa to the tip of southern Africa.
2. nounforefront; vanguard; spearhead; leading edge

• Synonym最先端さいせんたんNeutralThe very forefront, as in 「最先端技術」 — emphasizes the highest degree of being at the leading edge.
• Synonym末すえNeutralThe end or tip of something, also the end of a period of time. 先端 focuses on the front end.
• Synonym先っぽさきっぽCasualColloquial for the tip or end of an object. 先端 leans written/formal and also refers to the forefront of technology.
• Synonym尖頭せんとうWrittenWritten/formal term for a pointed tip or point, describing shape. 先端 is also used figuratively for being at the leading edge.
• Synonym先っちょさきっちょCasualEven more casual than 「先っぽ」: colloquial for the end or tip of something.
• Related末端まったんNeutralThe far end or tip of an object, also the grassroots level of an organization, as in 「末端の社員」. Contrasts with 先端: leading edge vs. periphery.
• Related頂いただきNeutralThe highest point — a mountain summit or the crown of the head. 先端 is about the front end of a long, thin object.
• Related先頭せんとうNeutralThe very front of a line or group, as in 「先頭に立つ」. 先端 refers to the tip of a physical object.
• Related頂点ちょうてんNeutralThe topmost point, also figuratively the peak of a career or field. 先端 means the front end of something or the forefront of a field.
• Related頂上ちょうじょうNeutralA summit or peak, stressing height. 先端 stresses the front end of something.
• Related上端じょうたんWrittenWritten term for the upper end or top edge of an object. 先端 is not limited to top or bottom.
• RelatedとんがりCasualColloquial word for a sharp, pointy part, as in 「とんがり帽子」.
• Related端っこはしっこCasualColloquial for the edge or corner of something, stressing the edge. 先端 is the very front end of a long, thin object.
• Antonym後端こうたんWrittenWritten term for the rear or tail end of something — the opposite of 先端 as the front end.

Use 「先端」 for the tip of a long, thin object or the forefront of a field, as in 「先端技術」. In casual speech say 「先っぽ」 (or the even looser 「先っちょ」); for the very cutting edge use 「最先端」; for the front of a line or group, 「先頭」; for the highest point, 「頂点」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 長ながい物ものの一番いちばん先さき。「防波堤ぼうはていの―」