From Longman Business Dictionaryfront endˈfront end noun [singular]1COMMERCEif 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 productsHe is experienced at dealing companies at the front end of the retail financial services sector.2front end charge/costFINANCECOMMERCE charges or costs you have to pay before you can receive something or before an investment can start making you moneyInitial charges are 4% for the managed funds and there is no front end charge for the single funds.