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

He is widely read as one of the front-runners in comedy directing. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Lindell was the front-runner in most of the surveys leading up to Election Day, but observers began to notice a late surge by Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

After Giannoulias leapt into the mayoral fray, some city media folks anointed him the front-runner. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Crowley overcame Francesca Hong in dramatic, narrow fashion in Tuesday's primary, stunning pundits and pollsters who had long placed Hong as the front-runner. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

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