Question on Fourier transform : what can be the frequency of a non perdioci function?

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In wikipedia they say that the absolute value of the Fourier transform is the amount of frequency of the original function. Could someone explain what does it mean ? I don't understand what could be the frequency of a non periodic function. With this concept, taking the frequency of a periodic function should gives its period, but since such a function is not $L^1$, it doesn't make any sense. So, what do they mean by : "frequency" for a non periodic function ? But maybe there is an other explanation ?