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

But Oscars prognosticators already said earlier in the week that Chalamet had begun to lose momentum in the best-actor race, despite being the front-runner since December. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026

Minnesota is the front-runner to sign Murray, NFL Network reported. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026

Vice presidential scholar Joel Goldstein told ABC News that if Vance, seen as a front-runner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, were to decide to run for president, the Iran operation would carry its own risks, as the conflict's fallout would be inherited by Vance. —Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

In that situation, voters stop gaming out front-runners and simply vote for their guy. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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