front bench

noun

British.

(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.
(used with a singular or plural verb) the leaders who occupy a front bench.

front bench

noun

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
the leadership of the government or opposition in various legislative assemblies

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Other Word Forms

front bencher noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of front bench¹

First recorded in 1890–95

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He's been on the front bench of his party ever since in various roles.

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Greene, who is a member of the LGBT+ community, previously claimed he had been sacked from a front bench role at Holyrood over his support for gender recognition reform.

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With a squeeze on benefits coming, there is unease on the back, and the front benches, including in cabinet.

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Appointed a shadow education minister in 2016, she resigned from the front bench three months later to vote against triggering Brexit.

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The Labour front bench looked slumped, slouched and sullen today - the realities of government still proving heavy after less than six months in office.

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front and center front bottom

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