front line

noun

1

a

: a military line formed by the most advanced tactical combat units

also : front sense 2a(2)

b

: an area of potential or actual conflict or struggle

2

: the most advanced, responsible, or visible position in a field or activity

Synonyms of front line

• forefront
• leading edge

Examples of front line in a Sentence

These researchers are on the front line of defense against cancer.

She has been working on the front lines to educate the poor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two generals agreed with Ashley's characterization, stressing the view that on the front lines, Ukraine was outmaneuvering Russia. —Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 9 June 2026

With the front line barely moving as swarms of drones hinder advances, both sides have sought an edge by launching long-range strikes. —Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

But in the current climate of censorship and funding threats, museums have largely pulled back from the political front lines. —Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026

For health workers on the front line of Congo's Ebola outbreak, the work has become harder as the disease spreads faster than their current treatment capacity. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for front line

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline