n.
- the side or part of an object that presents itself to view or that is normally seen or used first.
▸the position directly ahead.
▸the forward-facing part of a person's body.
- the foremost line or part of an armed force; the furthest position that an army has reached.
▸
[
often in names]
an organized political group:
the Patriotic Front.
- Meteorology the boundary of an advancing mass of air, in particular the leading edge (warm front) or trailing edge (cold front) of the warm sector of a low-pressure system.
- a particular situation or sphere of operation:
good news on the jobs front.
- a deceptive appearance or mode of behaviour assumed by someone to conceal truth or genuine feelings.
▸a person or organization serving as a cover for subversive activities.
- boldness and confidence of manner.
adj.
- of or at the front.
- Phonetics (of a vowel sound) formed by raising the tongue towards the hard palate.
v.
- have the front facing towards.
▸place or be placed at the front of.
- provide with a front or facing.
- lead or be at the forefront of.
▸present or host (a television or radio programme).
- act as a front for.
- Phonetics articulate (a vowel sound) with the tongue further forward.
-
(often front up)
Austral./NZ make an appearance; turn up.
▸archaic or Austral./NZ confront.
Phrase
Derivative
- frontless adj.
- frontmost adj.
- frontward adj. & adv.
- frontwards adv.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. front (n.), fronter (v.), from L. frons, front- ‘forehead, front’.