Meaning & use
homefront
Last updated
Meaning
nounsingular
The civilian population and activities of a country that is at war, especially as they support the war effort.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the', e.g., 'the home front'. It is often written as two words, 'home front'.
Patterns
- on the home front
- the home front during the war
- support the home front
During World War II, people on the home front grew their own vegetables to help with food shortages.
The government urged the home front to remain calm and united.
Letters from soldiers were eagerly awaited by those on the home front.
Common combinations
- on the home front
- Rationing was a daily reality on the home front.
- the home front during the war
- The home front during the war faced many hardships.
- support the home front
- Propaganda posters encouraged citizens to support the home front.
- home front effort
- The home front effort included factory work and recycling drives.
Synonyms and how they differ
- civilian population
- More neutral and general; 'home front' specifically refers to civilians in a country at war and their activities.
- domestic front
- Less common and more formal; 'home front' is the standard term in historical and military contexts.
Word family
Commonly confused: homefront or home front?
homefront vs home front
The spelling 'homefront' as one word is less common; most dictionaries and style guides prefer 'home front' as two words.
Practice
During the war, the ______ was encouraged to plant victory gardens.
Choose one answer.
The standard term is 'home front' (two words) for the civilian population during a war. 'Homefront' as one word is occasionally seen but is not the preferred form; 'home front line' and 'home base' have different meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “homefront”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.