foreman
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who is in charge of a group of workers, especially in a factory or on a building site.
a worker who supervises a group of other workers, typically in a manual or industrial setting.
Simple“The foreman told the construction crew to start working on the roof.”
In context“The factory foreman implemented a new shift rotation to ensure that production targets were met without compromising safety standards.”
UsageTraditionally masculine; 'forewoman' is used for women, though 'supervisor' is a common gender-neutral alternative.
Teacher's tipWhile 'foreman' is still common in trades, many modern workplaces prefer gender-neutral titles like 'team lead' or 'supervisor'.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
the person who leads a jury in a court and speaks for them when they give their decision.
the member of a jury who presides over its deliberations and delivers the verdict to the court.
Simple“The foreman stood up to read the jury's final decision to the judge.”
In context“After three days of deliberation, the foreman informed the bailiff that the jury had reached a unanimous verdict.”
UsageIn many modern legal systems, the term 'presiding juror' is replacing 'foreman' to be more inclusive.
Teacher's tipThis is a specific legal role; the foreman is usually elected by the other jurors at the start of deliberations.
Synonyms