frontline

American  

[fruhnt-lahyn] / ˈfrʌntˌlaɪn /

Or front-line

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.

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Etymology

Origin of frontline

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

frontline

Her concern was echoed by Maggie Evans, director of frontline services at abuse prevention charity Hourglass.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

The Turkey international can play across the frontline too which adds another dynamic, which may make him appealing to Arteta.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Gavi said that around 55,000 frontline workers in Ituri and North Kivu have received Ervebo through previous preventive vaccination campaigns.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

For more than a decade it has been a frontline, the first Greek soil that exhausted, terrified people touch when they cross from Turkey in boats that were never built for open water.

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026

Pétain reorganized the French defenses and took personal command of the artillery; now the Germans became the target of fierce bombardments as they clung to their frontline positions or tried to advance.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman