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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Once again, America was showing how it’s always felt about Black people, and here came D’Angelo with a work that sounded like a dispatch from both the front lines and the spirit realm. Marcus J. Moore, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2025 Overburdened infantrymen who had been on the front lines for months, some since the Normandy landings, remained there for weeks and months on end. Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
According to Save the Children’s analysis published in May 2025, in frontline regions like Sumy, students missed 85 percent of lessons—around 700 out of 830. Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 Empowering workers, especially frontline employees, with uncomplicated access to key resources has many benefits. Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for front line

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of front line was in 1677

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Front line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front%20line. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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