foreign

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

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: foreign in a Sentence

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

Administration officials have signaled support for imposing the tariffs in a dispute over allegations that Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology, according to officials briefed on the plans.

— ken thomas and paul wiseman, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. announces tariffs on $50B in China imports," 15 June 2018
Waheba Issa Dais, a 45-year-old homemaker and mother of seven, was arrested this week by the FBI on a charge of attempting to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.

— john diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A Cudahy woman charged with promoting ISIS and suggesting attacks on festivals, churches held without bail," 15 June 2018
Of all the emerging markets affected by a stronger dollar, Argentina has suffered most, thanks to its twin fiscal and current-account deficits, high inflation and fast-growing pile of debt denominated in foreign currency.

— The Economist, "Argentina’s central-bank president resigns," 15 June 2018
The law prohibits robbery, attempted robbery or extortion that affects interstate or foreign commerce.

— johnny diaz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Feds clamping down on criminals who target Miami Beach tourists," 14 June 2018
Starting in the 1960s and continuing through the 1980s, a number of foreign companies—including Kodak, Motorola, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Siemens—placed some of their manufacturing operations in Guadalajara.

— andrew selee, Smithsonian, "How Guadalajara Reinvented Itself as a Technology Hub," 13 June 2018
Unscrupulous foreign companies operate with virtually no oversight in vast swaths of international waters, as AP reported in a series of stories in 2015.

— robin mcdowell, Washington Post, "AP Investigation: Local fish isn’t always local," 13 June 2018
Vietnam has seen a surge in protests in recent days over plans to allow foreign companies 99-year land leases at strategic sites.

— james hookway, WSJ, "Vietnam Tightens Grip on Internet With Data-Storage Law," 12 June 2018
Representatives from foreign car companies and manufacturers with facilities outside of California said the state would have little authority to investigate their operations.

— adam ashton, sacbee, "Elon Musk's Tesla says new state rule punishes it for doing business in California," 11 June 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