frontline

American  

[fruhnt-lahyn] / ˈfrʌntˌlaɪn /

Or front-line

adjective

1. located or designed to be used at a military front line.

   a frontline ambulance helicopter.

2. of, relating to, or involving the forefront in any action, activity, or field.

   a frontline TV reporter.

3. highly experienced or proficient in the performance of one's duties.

4. of or relating to essential work that depends on in-person interactions and may involve some risk, especially policing, healthcare, emergency services, public transit, grocery, warehouse, and delivery work.

   Congress is taking up a bill that would guarantee sick leave and hazard pay to frontline workers.

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Etymology

Origin of frontline

First recorded in 1910–15; front (in the military sense) + line ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

In 2021, the party pledged to increase frontline health spending by 20%, or at least £2.5bn.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Even after a pair of mediocre seasons, the Rangers remained aggressive this winter, making a pair of blockbuster trades, acquiring frontline starter MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals and outfielder Brandon Nimmo from the Mets.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

This program isn’t abstract policy; it is a frontline defense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

A frontline spinner needs to be identified, although an all-rounder like Rehan Ahmed or James Coles could be tried.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Pétain reorganized the French defenses and took personal command of the artillery; now the Germans became the target of fierce bombardments as they clung to their frontline positions or tried to advance.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman