front office

American  

noun

1. the executive or administrative office of a company, organization, etc.

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front office Idioms  

1. 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]

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Other Word Forms

• front-office
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of front office

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Then, if all goes according to plan, the Rams’ front office won’t have to slog through a rebuild once Stafford is gone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Snead’s daughter attends USC, and his son works in USC’s football front office.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

His future would be in the front office.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

But, for a coaching staff and front office that loves the phrase “gives us our best chance to win,” a little more of Yamamoto could do just that.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“I’ll tell the front office you’re going to work in here during your lunch period. Does that sound good?”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan