among the best or most important; foremost; topnotch
Word origin
[1590–1600]This word is first recorded in the period 1590–1600. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Byzantine, class, jolt, mission, squeeze
Examples of 'front-rank' in a sentence
front-rank
They have got into the habit of losing series against front-rank opposition and urgently need a win.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She went on to say that the targets of her book were no longer in front-rank politics.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Though justified on grounds of profile and race sponsorship, it is a mightily uncomfortable compromise for a supposedly front-rank sport.