front office

American  

noun

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

---

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]

---

Other Word Forms

• front-office
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of front office

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Since Walter, the controlling owner of the Dodgers, became the majority owner of the Lakers in October, the Lakers have gradually reshaped front office and business operations.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Every MLB front office is populated by Ivy League whiz kids, data wonks and math geniuses, who are trying to find an edge with numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 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

A few minutes later when the nameless man stood beside his desk in the front office of the old red county jail behind the courthouse, Sheriff Quinn stuck the will out in front of him.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck