1
a
: forehead
also
: the whole face
b
: external and often feigned appearance especially in the face of danger or adversity
2
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
(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
b
: a person who serves as the nominal head or spokesman of an enterprise or group to lend it prestige
fronted; fronting; fronts
1
: to have the front or principal side adjacent to something
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
went to the woods because I wished … to front only the essential facts of life—H. D. Thoreau
H. D. 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
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
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
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024
This pick has a notched lapel, an open front, and a removable tie belt, perfect to pair over a chunky sweater and flared jeans.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024
Carrie Coolidge, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The film, fronted by Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), is generating buzz for its cinematography.
—Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 10 Nov. 2024
Chiara Kim, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
These thieves steal packages primarily from residences whose front doors are easily visible and within 25 feet of the street, according to the Better Business Bureau.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for front 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Among the many other photos and videos the Griselda star posted from her trip were photos of her entire group of family and friends gathered for Thanksgiving at a beachfront dining table, with cocktails and full plates of food sitting in front of them.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024
This pick has a notched lapel, an open front, and a removable tie belt, perfect to pair over a chunky sweater and flared jeans.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
Both courses, for example, feature several elevated island greens with some fronted by aesthetically pleasing wooden railroad ties that prove to be deadly to any golf ball that dares to make contact.
—Carrie Coolidge, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
The film, fronted by Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), is generating buzz for its cinematography.
—Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The gown featured a deep v-neck and a front slit that revealed its white lining.
—Chiara Kim, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
These thieves steal packages primarily from residences whose front doors are easily visible and within 25 feet of the street, according to the Better Business Bureau.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for front
Dictionary Entries Near front
Cite this Entry
“Front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/front. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
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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