frontline

Or front-line

[fruhnt-lahyn]

adjective

1. located or designed to be used at a military front line.

   a frontline ambulance helicopter.

2. of, relating to, or involving the forefront in any action, activity, or field.

   a frontline TV reporter.

3. highly experienced or proficient in the performance of one's duties.

4. of or relating to essential work that depends on in-person interactions and may involve some risk, especially policing, healthcare, emergency services, public transit, grocery, warehouse, and delivery work.

   Congress is taking up a bill that would guarantee sick leave and hazard pay to frontline workers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of frontline¹

First recorded in 1910–15; front (in the military sense) + line ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Frontline locations are particularly lawless places, where retribution from Russian forces can be swift and brutal.

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As locals have been fleeing frontline areas, they are being replaced with Russian military, he said.

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In addition, pregnant women and frontline health and social care workers will not be offered the autumn jab for free this autumn.

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“I’ll give it to you straight. Everyone coming here is going to the frontline and to the war. Anyone saying otherwise is speaking nonsense.”

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The BBC spoke to multiple experts, advocates and frontline workers about the reasons for such a meteoric rise in case numbers.

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