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

The Democratic presidential front-runner had just finished his California primary victory speech — thanking Chávez and Huerta — when an assassin gunned him down. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Yotova, a 62-year-old journalist and former member of the European Parliament, is the country's incumbent president and a front-runner in the race. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Bulgaria’s incumbent president is a front-runner Yotova, a 62-year-old journalist and former member of the European Parliament, is the country’s incumbent president and a front-runner in the race. — CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

And the way the French election works is that there’s a first round for the Presidential contenders and then the two front-runners go forward. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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