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

For example, based on Hays data, a construction foreman, a tradesperson in charge of a crew, could make over 60% more in Sydney than in Auckland. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024

Brian is a well respected foreman for Steamfitters Local 449. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2024

Many Japanese farm workers lost their jobs, with the exception of some foremen, while Filipino laborers became integral to the local economy. —H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 1 July 2024

As the foreman for the jury of five men and seven women read the guilty verdicts, Laws bent over in her seat with her head in her hands, wiping away tears as another family member rubbed her back. —Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 10 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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