foreign

adjective

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for·eign | \ ˈfȯr-ən

, ˈfär- \

Definition of foreign

1 : situated outside a place or country especially : situated outside one's own country foreign cities

2 : born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration has a large foreign population foreign languages

3 : of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person or material thing than the one under consideration foreign aid

4 : alien in character : not connected or pertinent this design is not foreign from some people's thoughts— Jonathan Swift

5 : related to or dealing with other nations foreign trade

6a : occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside a foreign body lodged in the esophagus

b : not recognized by the immune system as part of the self foreign proteins

7 : not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (such as a state) foreign corporations

Other Words from foreign Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing foreign Learn More About foreign

Synonyms & Antonyms for foreign

Synonyms

Antonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for foreign

extrinsic, extraneous, foreign, alien mean external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character. extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature. sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part. arguments extraneous to the issue foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated. techniques foreign to French cuisine alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability. a practice totally alien to her nature

Examples of foreign in a Sentence

They've visited several foreign countries. We don't get many foreign visitors. Have you studied any foreign languages? She has a foreign accent. the ministry of foreign affairs

Recent Examples on the Web That dynamic is especially pronounced in Malden, where 42 percent of residents are foreign-born. — Tim Logan, BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2022 Prosecutors have said Henry watched Islamic State group propaganda videos of foreign terrorists beheading civilians and fighting overseas. — Michael Kunzelman, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2022 First base umpire Dan Bellino did his job, checking Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner's hand just in case there were any foreign substances. — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 4 May 2022 To protect Alaska sovereignty from Russian foreign encroachment. — Anchorage Daily News, 3 May 2022 Food and drink recalls often involve the presence of an undeclared ingredient or contamination with dangerous bacteria or foreign material. — Chris Smith, BGR, 3 May 2022 These trade numbers suggest that domestic demand was strong (especially as US businesses continued to restock their inventories from factories overseas), but foreign demand for US goods and services was weak. — CNN, 3 May 2022 Lviv, home to a cobblestoned historic district that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, has become a hub for foreign diplomats, aid organizations and journalists because of its relative safety. — Washington Post, 3 May 2022 And some of Russia’s top foreign players are still in the country. — Steve Price, Forbes, 3 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'foreign.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near foreign

forehook

foreign

foreign affairs

Statistics for foreign

Last Updated

7 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Foreign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreign. Accessed 18 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for foreign

foreign

adjective

for·eign | \ ˈfȯr-ən

Kids Definition of foreign

1 : located outside of a place or country and especially outside of a person's own country a foreign nation

2 : belonging to a place or country other than the one under consideration Do you speak a foreign language?

3 : relating to or having to do with other nations foreign trade

4 : not normally belonging or wanted where found foreign material in food

foreign

adjective

for·eign | \ ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär-

Medical Definition of foreign

1 : occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside a foreign body lodged in the esophagus

2 : not recognized by the immune system as part of the self foreign proteins

foreign

adjective

for·eign

Legal Definition of foreign

: not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (as a state) especially : being from or in a state other than the one in which a matter is being considered a foreign company doing business in South Carolina a foreign executor submitting to the jurisdiction of this court a foreign judgment — compare domestic