foreman

noun

fore·​man ˈfȯr-mən 

: a first or chief person: such as

a

: a member of a jury who acts as chairman and spokesman

b(1)

: a chief and often specially trained worker who works with and usually leads a gang or crew

(2)

: a person in charge of a group of workers, a particular operation, or a section of a plant

foremanship

ˈfȯr-mən-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• boss
• boss man
• captain
• chief
• head
• headman
• helmsman
• honcho
• jefe
• kingpin
• leader
• master
• taskmaster

Examples of foreman in a Sentence

asked the shift foreman if he could take a break

Recent Examples on the Web

Maritime employers in British Columbia will lock out more than 730 dock foremen across Canada’s West Coast ports Monday afternoon, straining activity at major ports on both sides of the country. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024

The foreman is unlucky to be found by Hansu, who is infuriated not only with him but with himself. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024

As the jury foreman read the verdicts, sighs of relief could be heard by the victims' families. —Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024

As the foreman read out five guilty counts, Bamber sank into his chair, his features constricted in horror. —Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

foreman

noun

fore·​man ˈfōr-mən 

ˈfȯr-

1

: a member of a jury who is the leader

2

: a person in charge of a group of workers

Legal Definition

foreman

noun

fore·​man

plural foremen

: a male or female member of a jury who acts as the leader and speaks for the jury