front bench

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noun British.

(used with a singular verb) (in the House of Commons) either of two seats near the Speaker, on which the leaders of the major parties sit.

(used with a singular or plural verb) the leaders who occupy a front bench.

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Compare back bench.

Origin of front bench

First recorded in 1890–95

OTHER WORDS FROM front bench

front bencher, noun

Words nearby front bench

frontal pole, frontal sinus, frontal sulcus, frontal suture, front and center, front bench, front bottom, front burner, front burner, on a, front channel, front court

How to use front bench in a sentence

In front of this strange structure are two blank-faced, well-dressed models showing off the latest in European minimalism.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As the protagonist gets herself off in front of her impotent husband, she moans “Oh, Gronky.”
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Granted, James is in an office in the Pentagon, and not on the front lines.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The next phase of the trial consists of vaccinating Ebola workers on the front lines.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Hmm, who are these people standing in front of the machines at the gym, neither occupying them nor not occupying them?
How to Survive the New Year ‘Gympocalypse’|Tim Teeman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Before the spinet a bench was placed about four feet below the keys, and I was put upon the bench.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
Off went the officers again, some distance to the front, and then back again to their men, and got them on a little further.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
The doors (Indian bungalows have hardly any windows, each door being half glass) were open front and back.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
She got up and stood in front of the fire, having her hand on the chimney-piece and looking down at the blaze.
Confidence|Henry James
Then they all passed out through the great front door to the wide old veranda.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman

British Dictionary definitions for front bench

front bench

noun

British

the foremost bench of either the Government or Opposition in the House of Commons
the leadership (frontbenchers) of either group, who occupy this bench
(as modifier)a front-bench decision

the leadership of the government or opposition in various legislative assemblies

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012