front (frŭnt)

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin frōns, front-, forehead, front.]

noun 

1. The forward part or surface, as of a building.
2. The area, location, or position directly before or ahead.
3. A position of leadership or superiority.
4. The forehead or face, especially of a bird or other animal.
5. 1. Demeanor or bearing, especially in the presence of danger or difficulty.
   2. An outward, often feigned, appearance or manner: They put up a good front.
6. 1. Land bordering a lake, river, or street.
   2. A promenade along the water at a resort.
7. A detachable part of a man's dress shirt covering the chest; a dickey.
8. 1. The most forward line of a combat force.
   2. The area of contact between opposing combat forces; a battlefront.
9. Meteorology The interface between air masses of different temperatures or densities.
10. A field of activity: the economic front.
11. 1. A group or movement uniting various individuals or organizations for the achievement of a common purpose; a coalition.
    2. A nominal leader lacking in real authority; a figurehead.
    3. An apparently respectable person, group, or business used as a cover for secret or illegal activities.
12. Archaic
    1. The first part; the beginning.
    2. The face; the countenance.

adjective 

1. Of, relating to, aimed at, or located in the front: the front lines; the front row; front property on Lake Tahoe.
2. Linguistics Designating vowels produced at or toward the front of the oral cavity, such as the vowels of green and get.

verb: front·ed, front·ing, fronts. 

transitive verb 

1. To look out on; face: a house that fronts the ocean.
2. To meet in opposition; confront.
3. To provide a front for.
4. To serve as a front for.
5. Music To lead (a group of musicians): “Goodman . . . became the first major white bandleader to front an integrated group” (Bill Barol)
6. Informal To provide before payment: “In . . . personal liability suits, a lawyer is fronting both time and money” (Richard Faille)
7. Linguistics To move (a word or phrase) to the beginning of a clause or sentence, typically for emphasis or contrast.
8. Linguistics To cause (a vowel) to be pronounced farther toward the front of the oral cavity.

intransitive verb 

1. To have a front; face onto something else: Her property fronts on the highway.
2. To provide an apparently respectable cover for secret or illegal activities: fronting for organized crime.

interjection 

Used by a desk clerk in a hotel to summon a bellhop.

idioms

front and center

In the most prominent position.