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

See Examples For:

front bench

His first front bench role was shadow immigration minister under Jeremy Corbyn.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

Streeting, now a backbencher, is unshackled from the obligations of front bench collective responsibility for the first time in years.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026

"I know who I would rather have sitting on the front bench next to me, and it's not him," she told the PM.

From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026

Bailey and I sat alone on the front bench, the wooden slats pressing hard on our behinds and the backs of our thighs.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou