: most important
He is the foremost [=leading] authority/scholar on the American Civil War period.
Safety is their foremost [=primary] concern.
1
: in the first or most important position
The building's designers put safety foremost. [=(more commonly) first]
2
: at the most basic or important level
Though he has many other interests, he is foremost [=primarily] an authority on the American Civil War period.
Cite this Entry
“Foremost.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/foremost. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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