1
a(1)
: forehead
also
: the whole face
(2)
: the part of the body that faces forward
b
: external and often feigned appearance especially in the face of danger or adversity
His surprise was just a front.
She put up a good/brave front, but she was really quite hurt. [=she acted as if she was not hurt]
2
b(1)
: a stand on an issue : policy
(2)
: an area of activity or interest
progress on the educational front
(3)
: a movement linking divergent elements to achieve common objectives
presented a united front against the proposal
… the energy summit presents an avenue … to forge a common front towards improving electricity access …—
Business Day
Business Day
especially
: a political coalition
3
: a side of a building
especially
: the side that contains the principal entrance
4
a
: the forward part or surface
b(1)
: frontage
(2)
: a beach promenade at a seaside resort
c
d
: the boundary between two dissimilar air masses
5
archaic
: beginning
6
a(1)
: a position ahead of a person or of the foremost part of a thing
has a tree in the front of the yard
(2)
—used as a call by a hotel desk clerk in summoning a bellhop
b
: a position of leadership or superiority
7
a
: a person, group, or thing used to mask the identity or true character or activity of the actual controlling agent
The business is a front for organized crime.
b
: a person who serves as the nominal head or spokesperson of an enterprise or group to lend it prestige
see also:
fronted; fronting; fronts
1
: to have the front or principal side adjacent to something
also
: to have frontage on something
… some structures fronting on the ocean … —Nancy Hayden Woodward
Nancy Hayden Woodward 2
a
: to act or serve as a cover or front (see front entry 1 sense 7a) for something or someone
… a new initiative targeting brothels and massage parlors fronting for sex trafficking rings.—St. John Barned-Smith
St. John Barned-Smith
b
US, informal
: to assume a fake or false personality to conceal one's true identity and character
Don't front, don't put something out there that you feel isn't realistic and doesn't portray who you are.—Chloë Grace Moretz
Chloë Grace MoretzLook, we all know you got your heart broken. Stop fronting and write a love song.—Allison Keyes
Allison Keyes1
a
: confront
I went to the woods because I wished … to front only the essential facts of life …—Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau
b
: to appear before
… daily fronted him in some fresh splendor …—Alfred Tennyson
Alfred Tennyson2
a
: to be in front of
a lawn fronting the house
b
: to be the leader of (a musical group)
appeared as a soloist and fronted bands
3
: to face toward or have frontage on
the house fronts the street
4
: to supply a front to
fronted the building with bricks
5
a
: to articulate (a sound) with the tongue farther forward
b
: to move (a word or phrase) to the beginning of a sentence
6
basketball
: to play in front of (an opposing player) rather than between the player and the basket
7
: to give (someone) the money, material, etc. needed to do something : advance sense 7
She fronted them a loan to get the start-up going.
1
a
: of, relating to, or situated at the front
b
: acting as a front
a front company
2
: articulated at or toward the front of the oral passage
front vowels
3
: constituting the first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
front
adverb
Synonyms of front
Examples of front in a Sentence
Noun
the front of the church features a magnificent stained-glass window
that smile is just a front—I don't think she actually likes me at all
Verb
The house fronts Main Street.
The house fronts on Main Street.
He is now fronting a different band.
He fronts a talk show.
Adjective
There's a small statue on the front lawn.
He keeps his wallet in his front pocket.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sofia Saric
june 23, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
The state’s composting law has proved challenging on several fronts.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
That tune was fronted by Five Finger Death Punch, and the cut credits Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who originally released the song back in 1998, as well as Brantley Gilbert and the Queen guitarist.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 June 2026
In February, the FBI released images showing an armed person at Nancy Guthrie's front door tampering with the camera prior to her disappearance, but the suspect in the images has not been identified.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for front
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Nearly seven years after a teenager was killed out front of a Miami Gardens gas station, police have arrested a man accused of shooting him.
—Sofia Saric
june 23, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
The state’s composting law has proved challenging on several fronts.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
Adidas, Nike, Puma, New Balance and Skechers – who only launched their first range of soccer shoes in 2023 and are fronted by England striker Harry Kane – all unveiled new lines of cleats ahead of the tournament.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
That tune was fronted by Five Finger Death Punch, and the cut credits Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who originally released the song back in 1998, as well as Brantley Gilbert and the Queen guitarist.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Adjective
While proudly rooted in Italy, the business today features 260 stores spread across 60 countries, giving it a front-row seat to how the world spectates and celebrates the game.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 June 2026
In February, the FBI released images showing an armed person at Nancy Guthrie's front door tampering with the camera prior to her disappearance, but the suspect in the images has not been identified.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for front
Cite this Entry
“Front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
front
1 of 3 noun1
: outer often pretended appearance
put up a good front
2
: a region in which active warfare is taking place
3
: the forward part or surface
the front of a shirt
the front of the house
4
: the boundary between two dissimilar air masses
5
: someone or something that hides the true identity of those who are in control
a front for organized crime
front
2 of 3 verb
: to have the front or face toward
the cottage fronting on the lake
the house fronts the street
front
3 of 3 adjective
: of, relating to, or situated at the front
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