foreign

adjective for·eign \ ˈfȯr-ən , ˈfär- \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

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

6 a : 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

—

foreignness

play \ˈfȯr-ən-nəs, ˈfär-\ noun

See foreign defined for English-language learners

See foreign defined for kids

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 of foreign from the Web

But among veteran foreign-policy hands, the C.I.A. director’s advance-man trip exposed critical fractures within an administration that has struggled to make use of Foggy Bottom’s diplomatic corps.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "“Bolton Is Not a Big Team Player”: Inside the Looming Bolton-Pompeo Showdown," 20 Apr. 2018
The constant political intrigue sometimes manifests itself in foreign-policy rows.

— The Economist, "Australia is edgy about China’s growing presence on its doorstep," 19 Apr. 2018
Her interests include foreign and security policy as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

— stephanie liechtenstein, Washington Post, "Why Austria’s response to the Skripal poisoning wasn’t so tough on Russia," 18 Apr. 2018
Tesla, General Motors, Volkswagen and other automakers scored a big win Tuesday as China announced plans to lift strict rules requiring foreign car companies to share profits and operations with local firms.

— nathan bomey, USA TODAY, "Tesla, GM, Volkswagen score as China lifts auto ownership restrictions," 17 Apr. 2018
China has long required foreign auto companies to find local partners and build cars under 50-50 joint ventures.

— keith bradsher, BostonGlobe.com, "China loosens foreign auto rules, in potential peace offering to Trump," 17 Apr. 2018
In January, reporters examined a fur coat shown off on Facebook by Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman.

— NBC News, "One tiny corner of the U.S. government pushes back against Russian disinformation," 15 Apr. 2018
Dina Powell, who was then the deputy National Security Adviser, had learned from Trump’s daughter Ivanka that photographs and charts could move him on foreign-policy questions.

— w.j. hennigan, Time, "Can the U.S. Deter War Crimes Without Going to War with Syria?," 12 Apr. 2018
The Cruise Vessel and Security Act of 2010 also gave the FBI jurisdiction to investigate, something more difficult for the agency to do in a foreign country.

— raquel rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Travel agents and popular sites didn’t share the risks with those booking travel to Mexico resorts," 11 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of foreign

Middle English forein, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin foranus on the outside, from Latin foris outside — more at forum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

foreign Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

FOREIGN Defined for English Language Learners

foreign

adjective

Definition of foreign for English Language Learners

: located outside a particular place or country and especially outside your own country
: coming from or belonging to a different place or country
: relating to or dealing with other nations

FOREIGN Defined for Kids

foreign

adjective for·eign \ ˈfȯr-ən \

Definition of foreign for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

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

Law Dictionary

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