foreman

noun

fore·​man ˈfȯr-mən 

: a first or chief person: such as

a

: a member of a jury who acts as chairman and spokesman

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

• boss
• boss man
• captain
• chief
• head
• headman
• helmsman
• honcho
• jefe
• kingpin
• leader
• master
• taskmaster

Examples of foreman in a Sentence

asked the shift foreman if he could take a break

Recent Examples on the Web

The foreman noted that the prosecution’s use of songs had troubled him. —Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

After the verdicts, as Tom Martens and Molly Corbett were led off to prison, the jury foreman described his struggle. —Maureen Maher, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2025

Morales closed his eyes when the jury foreman read the verdict in the trial that began on April 7, News 12 reports. —Kc Baker, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The only consistent family Levon has left are his employers, who treat the mild-mannered foreman as one of their own, and love the guy almost as much as the men who work on his team. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 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