front

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the outward appearance of a person

   They put up a bold front, but they had as many fears as the rest of us.

2. 2
   noun

   the part of something that is nearest to the normal viewer

   I walked to the front of the stage.

3. 3
   noun

   the atmospheric phenomenon created at the boundary between two different air masses

   A front passed through, bringing with it a sudden thunderstorm.

4. 4
   noun

   a sphere of activity involving effort

   the Japanese were active last week on the diplomatic front

5. 5
   noun

   The side of a building with the main entrance.

   Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path[…]. It twisted and turned,[…]and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn. And, back of the lawn, was a big, old-fashioned house, with piazzas stretching in front of it, and all blazing with lights.

6. 6
   noun

   A field of activity.

   Becoming more aware of the progress that scientists have made on behavioral fronts can reduce the risk that other natural scientists will resort to mystical agential accounts when they exceed the limits of their own disciplinary training.

7. 7
   noun

   A person or institution acting as the public face of some other, covert group.

   Near-synonyms: frontperson, frontman, front man

8. 8
   noun

   The interface or transition zone between two airmasses of different density, often resulting in precipitation. Since the temperature distribution is the most important regulator of atmospheric density, a front almost invariably separates airmasses of different temperature.

   We need to take the clothes off the line. The news reported a front is coming in from the east, and we can expect heavy rain and maybe hail.

Etymology

From Middle English front, frunt, frount, from Old French front, frunt, from Latin frōns, frontem (“forehead”). Doublet of frons.