forefront in WordNet English dictionary

1. 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"
   vanguard  forefront  cutting edge 
   
2. the part in the front or nearest the viewer
   "he was in the forefront"; "he was at the head of the column"
   forefront  head 
   

forefront in English Wiktionary