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

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

Meanwhile, on Canada’s West Coast, the country’s labor relations board has ruled for the third time that 730 port foremen at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 have bargained in bad faith in its negotiations with the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA). —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019

Oh, and the foreman is played by James Best, of Dukes of Hazzard fame. —Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 23 Oct. 2024

Satcher worked as a licensed plumber and as a foreman for Derrick Plumbing since 1992, his obituary reads. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 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