frontal

1 of 2

noun

fron·​tal ˈfrən-tᵊl 

1

[Middle English frontel, from Medieval Latin frontellum, diminutive of Latin front-, frons] : a cloth hanging over the front of an altar

2

: facade sense 1

frontal

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or adjacent to the forehead or the frontal bone

2

a

: of, relating to, or situated at the front

b

: directed against the front or at the main point or issue : direct

frontal assault

3

: parallel to the main axis of the body and at right angles to the sagittal plane

4

: of or relating to a meteorological front

frontally

ˈfrən-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

Adjective

• anterior
• fore
• forward
• front
• frontward
• frontwards

Examples of frontal in a Sentence

Adjective

most cars have the engine in the frontal part

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s some nonsexual nudity, including brief full frontals, set in a virtual world. —Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024

Higher levels of stress are found in the hypothalamus; lower stress are found in the dorsal lateral frontal cortex. —Fox News, 29 May 2020

Adjective

The catastrophic inland flooding associated with Hurricane Helene was a dangerous mix of tropical moisture, a predecessor rainfall event and the interaction of several synoptic meteorology features (a cutoff low, high pressure and a frontal boundary). —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Lace: Handling frontal wigs requires delicate care to prevent any damage to the lace. —Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin frontalis, from Latin front-, frons

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing frontal

• frontal bone
• frontal lobe

Rhymes for frontal

• orbitofrontal
• prefrontal

Kids Definition

frontal

adjective

front·​al

ˈfrənt-ᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or next to the forehead

2

: of, relating to, or directed at the front

a frontal attack

frontally

-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

frontal

adjective

fron·​tal ˈfrənt-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or adjacent to the forehead or the frontal bone

2

: of, relating to, or situated at the front or anteriorly

3

: parallel to the main axis of the body and at right angles to the sagittal plane

a frontal plane

frontally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb