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

While the group of players who could win the prestigious Heisman have started thinning out, there are a lot of differing opinions about who the front-runner should be right now. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025

The election's two front-runners have both pledged to make improvements in education, including strengthening communication between Detroit's school district and the city. —Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Adams suspended his reelection bid last month in an effort to consolidate support against the race’s front-runner and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. —Julia Manchester, The Hill, 23 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, front-runners like the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills both suffered their second consecutive losses after 4-0 starts. —Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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