frontal

1 of 2

noun

fron·​tal ˈfrən-tᵊl How to pronounce frontal (audio)
Synonyms of frontalnext
1
[Middle English frontel, from Medieval Latin frontellum, diminutive of Latin front-, frons] : a cloth hanging over the front of an altar
2
: facade sense 1

frontal

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or adjacent to the forehead or the frontal bone
2
a
: of, relating to, or situated at the front
b
: directed against the front or at the main point or issue : direct
a frontal assault
3
: parallel to the main axis of the body and at right angles to the sagittal plane
4
: of or relating to a meteorological front
frontally
ˈfrən-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce frontal (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of frontal

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Adjective

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Examples of frontal in a Sentence

Adjective most cars have the engine in the frontal part
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The only full frontal is when the fisherwoman (Colman) is looking at the nude wicker man off in the distance in the water. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 The blood needs to be shot from overhead, from wide behind her, a close-up, and a wide frontal from the back of the auditorium. — Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
To send a clear human message, earlier Italian art had always been frontal. — Blake Gopnik, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Some longer-range model guidance suggests that a frontal boundary and upper-level disturbance could approach North Texas sometime next week. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frontal

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin frontalis, from Latin front-, frons

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of frontal was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing frontal

Rhymes for frontal

See All Rhymes for frontal

Browse Nearby Words

frontage road
frontal
frontal angle
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Cite this Entry

“Frontal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frontal. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

frontal

adjective
front·​al
ˈfrənt-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or next to the forehead
2
: of, relating to, or directed at the front
a frontal attack
frontally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Medical Definition

frontal

adjective
fron·​tal ˈfrənt-ᵊl How to pronounce frontal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or adjacent to the forehead or the frontal bone
2
: of, relating to, or situated at the front or anteriorly
3
: parallel to the main axis of the body and at right angles to the sagittal plane
a frontal plane
frontally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce frontal (audio)
adverb
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