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 exception is Love Story, and its pilot should be a front-runner for this category. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026

The Directing for a Drama Series has nominated multiple episodes from at least one series in ten of the last 11 years (last year, both The Pitt and Severance got double nominations), so loading up in this category doesn’t seem like a bad idea for the front-runners. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026

No endorsements for attorney general, lieutenant governor There were no endorsement winners in the voting for attorney general and lieutenant governor, but there were front-runners. — Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal, 20 June 2026

Schlittler is the clear front-runner for the American League Cy Young Award. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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