presence; in front of
Formal noun meaning 'in the presence of someone' or 'before someone's eyes'. Often used in the pattern ～の面前で or ～の面前に.
He gave a speech in front of a large audience.
I signed the contract in the presence of witnesses.
Sino-Japanese compound of 面 (face, surface) and 前 (front, before). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally yields the meaning 'before one's face'.