frontline

adjective front·line \ ˈfrənt-ˌlīn \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of frontline

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

frontline ambulances

2 : first-rate

frontline teachers

; also : first-string

a frontline goalie

Examples of frontline in a Sentence

if I'm having brain surgery, I want it done at a frontline hospital

Recent Examples of frontline from the Web

Could these frontline experts—the ones who witness both the joys and frustrations of the uber-wealthy—predict how much money a fictional family would have to have amassed to fund their one-percenter dreams?

— norman vanamee, Town & Country, "Here's Exactly How Much Money You Need To Be Happy," 16 Nov. 2017
Even frontline officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which wildlife inspectors rely heavily upon to flag them to potential abuses, can be unfamiliar with the maze of laws that govern the importation of certain species.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Illegal wildlife trade likely unstoppable without dramatic shift in public awareness," 22 Apr. 2018
That was when Sudanese boys were being kidnapped for use as frontline troops in battle zones or to walk through mine fields, according to the foundation’s website.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Lost Boys 5K/10K Walk-a-Thon is Saturday at St. Michael's," 10 Apr. 2018
The only thing that mattered from that game was Dylan Bundy looking like a bona fide frontline major league starter.

— baltimoresun.com, "Instant analysis of the Orioles' 3-2 win over the Twins in 11 innings on Opening Day," 29 Mar. 2018
Health workers are indeed the frontline response mechanism for infectious disease outbreaks.

— ashley arabasadi, STAT, "Shortchanging global health now will cost us later," 21 Mar. 2018
Most frontline retail workers in L.A. County are age 25 or older, according to Census Bureau data included in the report.

— andrew khouri, latimes.com, "Erratic schedules a part of life for L.A. retail workers," 14 Mar. 2018
Despite January signing Cenk Tosun scoring his first goal for the club, Everton are unhappy with their frontline options, and see Vardy as a reliable option to lead the line next season.

— SI.com, "Everton Make Leicester City Star Primary Summer Target as Toffees Hunt for Striking Firepower," 4 Mar. 2018
In an industry not known for its diversity, this subsidiary of Swiss drug giant Roche boasts 41% minority staff, and women make up 46% of its frontline managerial ranks.

— Fortune, "Genentech," 16 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frontline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of frontline

1915

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

frontline Synonyms

Phrases

out of this world, too much;

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

front line

noun

Definition of front line

1 a : a military line formed by the most advanced tactical combat units; also : front 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

See front line defined for English-language learners

Examples of front line in a Sentence

These researchers are on the front line of defense against cancer.
She has been working on the front lines to educate the poor.

Recent Examples of front line from the Web

This is the fourth in an occasional series about the Kensington Storefront, a space for art and healing at the front lines of the city’s opioid epidemic.

— samantha melamed, Philly.com, "Mural Arts as harm reduction: 'Today was my 24th overdose reversal'," 15 May 2018
His reticence is not unusual for the generation that served on the front lines of a war that the country never really embraced.

— garrett m. graff, WIRED, "The Untold Story of Robert Mueller's Time in Combat," 15 May 2018
From her vantage on the front lines of the issue, Rodriguez emphasizes that there is variety of ways to help, not just through the donation of money.

— lee a. litas, chicagotribune.com, "Local clothing company makes helping homeless a central part of business," 14 May 2018
Anita Bradley, executive director of the Northern Ohio Recovery Association, said treatment providers on the front lines of the opioid crisis have noticed the drama at the office, as well as the delay in releasing a public strategy.

— john fritze, USA TODAY, "Trump White House is months late on strategy on drugs despite opioid emergency," 27 Apr. 2018
Admiral Jackson has been on the front lines of deadly combat and saved the lives of many others in service to this country.

— Time, "President Trump's Pick to Lead the VA Hit With Claims of Inappropriate Behavior and Over-Prescription of Drugs," 24 Apr. 2018
The Most Compelling Photos of Earth 1 / 10 View Images Go Local Local communities are at the front lines of keeping their towns green.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "How You Can Participate in Earth Day," 21 Apr. 2018
While my mom stayed at home, my dad was on the front lines of America as an immigrant, working in the restaurant industry.

— karla cornejo villavicencio, Vogue, "For the Child of Immigrants, the American Dream Can Be a Nightmare," 17 Apr. 2018
Or the people who pick up our trash, the fighters on the front lines of our never-ending war with rats.

— quinn kelley, baltimoresun.com, "It’s easy to feel disenchanted with Baltimore. It’s much easier to remember why we love it.," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'front line.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.