front bench

• frontbench
• front-bench

front bench (plural front benches)

1. (British) In the House of Commons, either of two benches nearest the floor of the chamber, one occupied by the members of the Cabinet and the other by the Shadow Cabinet.
   • 2020 June 3, Lilian Greenwood talks to Paul Stephen, “Rail's 'underlying challenges' remain”, in Rail, page 35:

     On her preparedness to return to Labour's front bench under new Leader of the Opposition Sir Kier Starmer, she is non-committal.

2. Those Members of Parliament occupying the front benches.

• front bencher