foreman

noun

fore·​man ˈfȯr-mən 

: a first or chief person: such as

a

: a member of a jury who acts as leader and spokesperson for the jury

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 of foreman

• boss
• leader
• manager
• captain
• chief
• master
• commander

Examples of foreman in a Sentence

asked the shift foreman if he could take a break

Recent Examples on the Web

The property includes three residences — a main ranch house, a foreman’s cabin and guest quarters — along with a barn and multiple outbuildings. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026

Nusku encouraged his fellow Igigi to rebel by setting fire to their tools and surrounding the house of Ellil, an Anunnaki leader and their foreman. —Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026

On July 2, A ranch foreman checking on sheep finds strange debris spread over a prairie near Roswell, New Mexico. —ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

Earlier, the jury had been on the brink of convicting Rivera of manslaughter, but after the foreman read their verdict, a lone juror shockingly almost threw the trial off the rails after they were individually polled. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreman

• longshoreman
• longshoremen
• metformin
• corpsman
• foremen
• mormon
• warman

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