front line

1 of 2

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

frontline

2 of 2

adjective

front·​line ˈfrənt-ˌlīn 

1

: relating to, being, or involved in a front line

frontline ambulances

2

: first-rate

frontline teachers

also : first-string

a frontline goalie

Synonyms

Noun

• forefront
• leading edge

Adjective

• excellent
• superb
• terrific
• great
• wonderful
• prime
• stellar
• lovely
• fantastic
• beautiful
• awesome
• fabulous
• marvellous
• quality
• hot
• fine
• marvelous
• top
• classic

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

The situation on the front line is critical for Ukrainian forces but defenses are not about to collapse, analysts say. —Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Officer 180 picked up his bike higher than the others and shoved it more forcefully into the front line of people, Key said. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025

Adjective

In a brief moment of calm, Common Man for Ukraine Co-Founder Susan Mathison (bottom right) sits with children at a safe house in a frontline Ukrainian village in March 2025, after delivering food, clothes, and... —Susan Mathison, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025

Any loss of supply could prove deadly for frontline Ukrainian units. —David Brennan, ABC News, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front line

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