front bench

American  

noun

British.

1. (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.

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

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front bench British  

noun

1. 1. the foremost bench of either the Government or Opposition in the House of Commons

   2. the leadership ( frontbenchers ) of either group, who occupy this bench

   3. ( as modifier )

      a front-bench decision

2. the leadership of the government or opposition in various legislative assemblies

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Other Word Forms

• front bencher
  noun

Etymology

Origin of front bench

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Altman, seated at the front bench behind the defendants’ table, directed his gaze right at Musk.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

On Wednesday three Nationals frontbenchers offered their resignations, which Ley accepted despite a warning from Littleproud that if she accepted them the rest of the Nationals front bench would follow.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

The most eye-catching appointment is Sir James Cleverly's return to the Tory front bench.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025

Asked whether Sir Keir still had confidence in Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who did not join her colleagues on the front bench for PMQs, the PM's press secretary said: "Yes."

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

That Sunday morning Tata Ndu himself sat on the front bench.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver