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

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

The rollout of the new technique will start this year but the SPS said training all of its 3,500 frontline staff would take time.

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC