front bench

noun

, British.

1. (used with a singular verb) (in the House of Commons) either of two seats near the Speaker, on which the leaders of the major parties sit.
2. (used with a singular or plural verb) the leaders who occupy a front bench.

front bench

noun

1. 1. the foremost bench of either the Government or Opposition in the House of Commons
   2. the leadership ( frontbenchers ) of either group, who occupy this bench
   3. ( as modifier )

      a front-bench decision

2. the leadership of the government or opposition in various legislative assemblies

Other Words From

• front bencher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of front bench¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The party leader and half his front bench mingled with the stars of British political media.

From The Daily Beast

When she sat on the front bench of the Brushwood schoolhouse, Pete had been one of the big boys at the back of the room.

From Project Gutenberg

She had lived a long time, had occupied a front bench overlooking one of the world's chief arenas of action.

From Project Gutenberg

Another friend told me that, a few days before, he had been riding on the front bench of a grip-car on a Chicago cable-line.

From Project Gutenberg

"There's room on the front bench," cackled the Marquis, shaking his sides.

From Project Gutenberg

The small boys in the front bench were all Balliol scholars in embryo; it would not pay them to crib.

From Project Gutenberg