FOREFRONT

vanguard, forefront, cutting edge

(noun) the position of greatest importance or advancement; the leading position in any movement or field; “the Cotswolds were once at the forefront of woollen manufacturing in England”; “the idea of motion was always to the forefront of his mind and central to his philosophy”

forefront, head

(noun) the part in the front or nearest the viewer; “he was in the forefront”; “he was at the head of the column”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

forefront (plural forefronts)

The leading position or edge.

Verb

forefront (third-person singular simple present forefronts, present participle forefronting, simple past and past participle forefronted)

(transitive) To bring to the forefront; to emphasize, or focus on.

Source: Wiktionary

Fore"front`, n.

Definition: Foremost part or place. Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle. 2 Sam. xi. 15. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, standing in the forefront for all time, the masters of those who know. J. C. Shairp.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition