frontal

1 of 2

noun

fron·​tal ˈfrən-tᵊl 

1

[Middle English frontel, from Medieval Latin frontellum, diminutive of Latin front-, frons] : a cloth hanging over the front of an altar

2

: facade sense 1

frontal

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or adjacent to the forehead or the frontal bone

2

a

: of, relating to, or situated at the front

b

: directed against the front or at the main point or issue : direct

a frontal assault

3

: parallel to the main axis of the body and at right angles to the sagittal plane

4

: of or relating to a meteorological front

frontally

ˈfrən-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of frontal

Adjective

• front
• anterior

Examples of frontal in a Sentence

Adjective

most cars have the engine in the frontal part

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the event of a crash, the front passenger frontal and knee airbags could deploy despite the presence of an infant in a child seat, a child or a smaller passenger for whom deployment should be suppressed, increasing the risk of injury. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Go Naked Hair offers wigs, bundles, closures, frontals, lashes, and more with great customer service and fast shipping, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for hair needs. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 July 2025

Adjective

The greatest risk is likely along a frontal boundary laid over central Louisiana and into southeast Mississippi -- rainfall may be heavy for a few hours in this area on Tuesday and could lead to significant flooding. —Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 16 June 2026

As the same frontal system pushes east, forecasters warn of another round of dangerous thunderstorms from Iowa and Missouri through the Great Lakes, with more travel disruptions and storm damage possible. —Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin frontalis, from Latin front-, frons

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing frontal

• frontal bone
• frontal lobe

Rhymes for frontal

• orbitofrontal
• prefrontal

Kids Definition

frontal

adjective

front·​al

ˈfrənt-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or next to the forehead

2

: of, relating to, or directed at the front

a frontal attack

frontally

-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

frontal

adjective

fron·​tal ˈfrənt-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or adjacent to the forehead or the frontal bone

2

: of, relating to, or situated at the front or anteriorly

3

: parallel to the main axis of the body and at right angles to the sagittal plane

a frontal plane

frontally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb