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 jury foreman, who provided only his first name, Matthew, said jurors tried to keep their emotions and personal experiences out of deliberations. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026

Courtney will next be seen in Paramount +’s The Dutton Ranch, a spin-off of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, as the imposing and unpredictable ranch foreman, Rob-Will. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026

The ranch also has a three-bedroom bass fishing cabin and a three-bedroom ranch foreman’s house. —Neal Franklin, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026

Just days into construction, their foreman called to report finding human bones in the ground. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 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