forefront

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
    

• the part in the front or nearest the viewer
  • he was in the forefront
    
  • he was at the head of the column
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  vanguard , cutting edge , head