front-runner

noun

front-run·​ner ˈfrənt-ˌrə-nər 

1

: a contestant who runs best when in the lead

2

: a leading contestant in or as if in a rivalry or competition

a political front-runner

Examples of front-runner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This new round of chaos only feeds the anxiety that has enveloped the California Democratic Party for months, stirred by fears that the lack of a singular party front-runner might lead to two Republicans winding up on the November ballot. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Your Daily Puzzles Top of the News So far, the California congressman is casting the allegations against him as a political conspiracy to take down the front-runner for the governor’s office. —Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Apr. 2026

Schaefer is the front-runner for the same honor. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

Rookie of the year front-runner Matthew Schaefer has been a revelation in his first NHL season at the age of 18, and several other top prospects are on their way. —CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

• forerunner
• brunner
• gunnar
• gunner
• runner
• tonner