front

front / frənt/ • n. 1. the side or part of an object that presents itself to view or that is normally seen or used first; the most forward part of something: a page at the front of the book had been torn out he sealed the envelope and wrote on the front. ∎  [in sing.] the position directly ahead of someone or something; the most forward position or place: she quickly turned her head to face the front. ∎  the forward-facing part of a person's body, on the opposite side to their back. ∎  the part of a garment covering this: oatmeal slopped from the tray on to his shirt front. ∎ inf. a woman's bust or cleavage. ∎  any face of a building, esp. that of the main entrance: the west front of the cathedral. ∎ chiefly Brit. short for seafront or waterfront. 2. the foremost line or part of an armed force; the furthest position that an army has reached and where the enemy is or may be engaged: his regiment was immediately sent to the front. ∎  the direction toward which a line of troops faces when formed. ∎  a particular formation of troops for battle. ∎  a particular situation or sphere of operation: there was some good news on the jobs front. ∎  [often in names] an organized political group: the Palestinian Liberation Front. ∎  Meteorol. the forward edge of an advancing mass of air. See cold front, occluded front, warm front. 3. [in sing.] an appearance or form of behavior assumed by a person to conceal their genuine feelings: she put on a brave front. ∎  a person or organization serving as a cover for subversive or illegal activities: the CIA identified the company as a front for a terrorist group. ∎  a well-known or prestigious person who acts as a representative, rather than an active member, of an organization. See also frontman. 4. boldness and confidence of manner: he's got a bit of talent and a lot of front. 5. archaic a person's face or forehead. • adj. 1. of or at the front: the front cover of the magazine she was in the front yard. 2. Phonet. (of a vowel sound) formed by raising the body of the tongue, excluding the blade and tip, toward the hard palate. • v. [tr.] 1. (of a building or piece of land) have the front facing or directed toward: the houses that front Beacon Street | [intr.] we sold the uphill land that fronted on the road. ∎  be or stand in front of: they reached the hedge fronting the garden. ∎ archaic stand face to face with; confront: Tom fronted him with unwavering eyes. 2. (usu. be fronted) provide (something) with a front or facing of a particular type or material: a metal box fronted by an alloy panel | [as adj. , in comb.] (-fronted) a glass-fronted bookcase. 3. lead or be the most prominent member in (an organization, activity, or group of musicians): the group is fronted by two girl singers. ∎  present or host (a television or radio program). ∎  [intr.] act as a front or cover for someone or something acting illegally or wishing to conceal something: he fronted for them in illegal property deals. 4. Phonet. articulate (a vowel sound) with the tongue further forward: [as adj.] (fronted) all speakers use raised and fronted variants more in spontaneous speech. 5. Linguistics place (a sentence element) at the beginning of a sentence instead of in its usual position, typically for emphasis or as feature of some dialects, as in horrible it was. • interj. used to summon someone to the front or to command them to assume a forward-facing position, as in calling a bellhop to the front desk or giving orders to troops on parade: scouts, front and center! PHRASES: in front 1. in a position just ahead of or further forward than someone or something else: the car in front stopped suddenly. ∎  in the lead in a game or contest: the Reds were in front until the eighth inning. 2. on the part or side that normally first presents itself to view: a house with a wide porch in front. in front of 1. in a position just ahead or at the front part of someone or something else: the lawn in front of the house. ∎  in a position facing someone or something: she sat in front of the mirror. 2. in the presence of: the teacher didn't want his authority challenged in front of the class. out front at or to the front; in front: two station wagons stopped out front. ∎  in the auditorium of a theater. up front 1. at or near the front: the floor plan has an open living area up front. 2. in advance: every fee must be paid up front. 3. open and direct; frank: I vowed to be up front with her.DERIVATIVES: fron·ting / ˈfrənting/ n. front·less adj. front·ward / -wərd/ adj. & adv. front·wards / -wərdz/ adv.