1
a
: a military line formed by the most advanced tactical combat units
also
: front sense 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
front·line
ˈfrənt-ˌlīn 
1
: relating to, being, or involved in a front line
frontline ambulances
2
: first-rate
frontline teachers
Examples of front line in a Sentence
Noun
These researchers are on the front line of defense against cancer.
She has been working on the front lines to educate the poor.
Adjective
if I'm having brain surgery, I want it done at a frontline hospital
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Ukraine’s military units were engaged along other sectors of the front line, which stretched for nearly a thousand miles at the time across the north, east, and south of Ukraine.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Empowering workers, especially frontline employees, with uncomplicated access to key resources has many benefits.
—Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for front line
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Noun
In the Premier League, think Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham — all of whom would be comfortable dropping off from the front line to link midfield and attack.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Ukraine’s military units were engaged along other sectors of the front line, which stretched for nearly a thousand miles at the time across the north, east, and south of Ukraine.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
According to Save the Children’s analysis published in May 2025, in frontline regions like Sumy, students missed 85 percent of lessons—around 700 out of 830.
—Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Empowering workers, especially frontline employees, with uncomplicated access to key resources has many benefits.
—Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for front line
Cite this Entry
“Front line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front%20line. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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