front line

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a military line formed by the most advanced tactical combat units
b
: an area of potential or actual conflict or struggle
2
: the most advanced, responsible, or visible position in a field or activity

frontline

2 of 2

adjective

front·​line ˈfrənt-ˌlīn How to pronounce frontline (audio)
1
: relating to, being, or involved in a front line
frontline ambulances
2
: first-rate
frontline teachers
also : first-string
a frontline goalie

Examples of front line in a Sentence

Noun These researchers are on the front line of defense against cancer. She has been working on the front lines to educate the poor. Adjective if I'm having brain surgery, I want it done at a frontline hospital
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But Voice journalists were educating themselves alongside those who were on the front lines of these and other groundbreaking movements. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 These are essential qualities that help all workers, from those on the front line to middle-skill and back-office workers. Bijal Shah, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Their neighbors are already hundreds of miles east in trenches on the front lines. Serhiy Morgunov, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 That case is still ongoing, Ice cream machines may seem like unlikely soldiers on the front lines of the war for reparability, but the FTC’s and DOJ’s actions here could lead to more government intervention in cases where companies try to unfairly restrict repair access. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 16 Mar. 2024 Zelensky frequently makes high-risk trips to the front lines and has welcomed dozens of world leaders to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Christian Edwards, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Having someone like Jones on the front lines of this movement combats the idea that Black people in the community support the facility—something Jones explains is not true. Essence, 12 Mar. 2024 The stakes of this transition are particularly high in sub-Saharan Africa, a region on the front lines of global warming, where air pollution levels are also among the worst in the world. Lenny Rashid Ruvaga, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 Ray of Light' (1998) Another huge artistic stride, this single was seen as Madonna reclaiming her spot on the front lines of the dance-pop revolution, bringing in producer William Orbit for a clattering gem of a track with elements of techno, trance and electronic dance. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Also frontline medical personnel: doctors, nurses and others. Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, McC, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The satellite launches have inflamed animosities between the rival Koreas, and both nations have taken steps to breach a previous military agreement meant to ease frontline military tensions. The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2023 The elevator and escalator manufacturer’s team has a lot of frontline essential workers who remained active throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. John Kell, Fortune, 23 June 2023 In states where cancer patients are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, limited supply keeps them waiting as health care workers, frontline essential workers, nursing home residents and staff, and other Americans with underlying health conditions fill up available appointments. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2021 Researchers believe changes there help the virus bind more tightly to our cells and hide from frontline immune defenders called antibodies that try to block the virus from invading our cells. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 May 2022 Also, frontline essential works, such as firefighters, educators (including teachers, day care workers, and support staff), grocery store employees, public transit workers, postal workers, food and agricultural workers, manufacturing workers, police officers, and corrections officers. Matt Jancer, Wired, 11 Mar. 2021 Ukraine first deployed DroneHunter last May to chase down the Group 1 and 2 drones that Russia was using to spy on frontline Ukrainian troops. Jason Sherman, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2023 The majority of damage is concentrated in frontline eastern regions, including Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 24 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'front line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of front line was circa 1797

Dictionary Entries Near front line

frontline

front line

front-load

Cite this Entry

“Front line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front%20line. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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