frontline

Frontline is a term used in several related senses, typically describing the most active or exposed part of a system or conflict. In military usage, it originally referred to the front line—the sector of an army closest to the enemy and most at risk of engagement. Frontline troops are those deployed directly in combat or in forward positions, and the term has come to describe not only geographic positions but also the most active or pivotal part of any operation or conflict.

In civilian and organizational usage, frontline describes people and services that engage directly with the public or with the core activity of an organization, such as healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters, and customer-facing staff. The phrase is often used to emphasize reach, exposure, or responsibility at the boundary between an organization and the public.

Frontline is also the title of a long-running investigative documentary series on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the United States. Since its debut in 1983, Frontline has produced reports on politics, public health, national security, education, and other topics, and has earned numerous awards for in-depth journalism and reporting.

Beyond these uses, Frontline serves as a brand or product name for various consumer goods and services, including items marketed with the idea of protection, immediacy, or direct engagement. The term's broad semantic range makes it a common label across contexts that emphasize proximity to action or actual service delivery.