front-runner

noun

front-run·​ner ˈfrənt-ˌrə-nər 

1

: a contestant who runs best when in the lead

2

: a leading contestant in or as if in a rivalry or competition

a political front-runner

Examples of front-runner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tom Steyer, despite being a Democratic front-runner, underperformed by becoming bogged down in policy minutiae about oil refineries and failing to produce any memorable soundbites beyond his closing statement. —Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and BYU forward AJ Dybantsa are considered the front-runners for the top pick in this year’s draft. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026

The front-runner in the Georgia governor’s race wants to eliminate income taxes for public-school educators. —Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026

The conservative front-runner Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot while out campaigning in Bogotá last June, and died two months later of his wounds. —Frank Andrews, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for front-runner

• forerunner
• brunner
• gunnar
• gunner
• runner
• tonner