front office

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• front-office adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of front office¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Idioms and Phrases

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]