front

[[t]frʌnt[/t]]

n.

1) the foremost part or surface of anything

2) the part or side of anything that faces forward:

the front of a jacket[/ex]

3) the part or side of anything, as a building, that seems to look out or to be directed forward:

We sat in the front of the restaurant[/ex]

4) any side or face, as of a house

5) bui archit. a facade, considered with respect to its architectural treatment or material:

a cast-iron front[/ex]

6) a property line along a street or the like:

a fifty-foot front[/ex]

7) a place or position directly before anything

8) a position of leadership in a particular endeavor or field:

She rose to the front of her profession[/ex]

9) mil

a) the foremost line or part of an army

b) a line of battle

c) the place where combat operations are carried on

10) an area of activity, conflict, or competition:

news from the business front[/ex]

11) land facing a road, river, etc.; frontage

12) inf a distinguished person listed as an official of an organization for the sake of prestige but usu. inactive

13) a person or thing that serves as a cover or disguise for some other activity, esp. one of a secret, disreputable, or illegal nature; a blind:

The store was a front for gamblers[/ex]

14) outward impression of rank, position, or wealth

15) bearing or demeanor in confronting anything:

a calm front[/ex]

16) anat. the forehead, or the entire face

17) a coalition or movement to achieve a particular end, usu. political:

the people's front[/ex]

18) clo an article of clothing worn over the breast, as a dickey

19) mer an interface or zone of transition between two dissimilar air masses

20) sbz

a) the auditorium of a theater

b) the business offices of a theater

c) the front of the stage; downstage

21) of or pertaining to the front

22) situated in or at the front:

front seats[/ex]

23) phn (of a speech sound) articulated with the tongue blade relatively far forward in the mouth, as either of the sounds of

tea[/ex]

24) to have the front toward; face:

Our house fronts the lake[/ex]

25) to meet face to face; confront

26) to face in opposition, hostility, or defiance

27) to furnish or supply a front to:

to front a building with sandstone[/ex]

28) to serve as a front to:

A long, sloping lawn fronted their house[/ex]

29) mad to lead (a jazz or dance band)

30) to have or turn the front in some specified direction:

Our house fronts on the lake[/ex]

31) to serve as a cover or disguise for another activity, esp. something of a disreputable or illegal nature:

The shop fronts for a narcotics ring[/ex]

32) (used to call or command someone to come, look, etc., to the front, as in an order to troops on parade or in calling a hotel bellboy to the front desk)

•

- in front in front of out front up front

Etymology: 1250–1300; ME frount, front < AF, OF < L frontem, acc. of frōns forehead, brow, front