front

Front is a noun and verb with several related meanings. In general, it denotes the forward-facing part of something or the line or surface that faces the observer. The word comes from Old French front, from Latin frons, meaning "forehead" or "forepart."

As a noun, a front may be the exterior façade of a building or the foremost face of an object, such as the front of a coin or the front of a ship.

In military terms, a front is a geographical line along which opposing forces meet; "the front" can refer to the area of active combat. The term "home front" describes civilian support and mobilization during war.

In meteorology, a weather front is a boundary between two air masses of different temperature and humidity, giving rise to fronts: cold fronts, warm fronts, stationary fronts, and occluded fronts, often with characteristic precipitation.

In computing and everyday language, front is used in compounds such as front-end (the user-facing part of a system) and front office. To front something can mean to present or sponsor it, or to be the outward face of a person or organization.

Common phrases include front page, front row, and to place something at the front.