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]

Example Sentences

Perhaps the most significant wager placed by Roberts and the front office was on Sasaki, who had no previous experience pitching out of the bullpen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Alongside him, serving as de facto general manager, was Jake Rosenberg, a consultant who had been a key member of the Philadelphia Eagles front office that built two Super Bowl champions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Their front office is helmed by president of baseball operations David Stearns, one of the most heralded executives in the sport.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At age 69, Dombrowski is the oldest person in charge of a major-league front office.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That wasn’t the way the front office drew it up when they spent wildly on the bullpen over the winter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times