front office

American  

noun

1. the executive or administrative office of a company, organization, etc.

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front office Idioms  

1. The policy-making or executive individuals in an organization, as in I'll have to check with the front office before I can give you a discount. This term was originally underworld slang for police headquarters or the main detective bureau. It soon was extended to other administrative offices and their personnel. [c. 1900]

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• front-office
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of front office

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Kings have employed a dizzying array of players, coaches, general managers and front office executives.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

The Sparks have reinvested going into this season, working to build the team’s permanent practice facility that will debut next season, and now have new leadership in the front office, led by Johns.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Then, if all goes according to plan, the Rams’ front office won’t have to slog through a rebuild once Stafford is gone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

His future would be in the front office.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

But moments later, he bursts out of the front office, looking wild-eyed and disheveled.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli