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

Derived Forms

• front bencher
  noun

Etymology

Origin of front bench

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

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

The clamour, among MPs and even the cabinet front bench, has become deafening.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2025

He's been on the front bench of his party ever since in various roles.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025

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

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver