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

Out of concern for Kolbe, a foreman escorted him safely beyond the construction site and waited with him. —Darcie Moran, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025

The Met Opera run will see Sting portray Jackie White, the shipyard foreman who is dealing with failing health and trying to rally shipbuilders amid the closure of the shipyard. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025

Throughout the days of deliberations, the jury foreman came before Farber in open court and told him of the tensions and threats allegedly happening behind closed doors. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025

Her husband joined the company six years ago, working long hours as a foreman and project estimator. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

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