front end ˈfront end noun [singular]
1. COMMERCE if a company is at the front end of a business or activity, they have a lot of success, especially because they are producing a lot of new products:
• He is experienced at dealing companies at the front end of the retail financial services sector.
2. front end charge/cost FINANCE COMMERCE charges or costs you have to pay before you can receive something or before an investment can start making you money:
• Initial charges are 4% for the managed funds and there is no front end charge for the single funds.
Financial and business terms. 2012.