I. ˈfōrmən, ˈfȯr-, ˈfōəm-, ˈfȯ(ə)m- noun
( plural foremen )
Etymology: Middle English forman, foreman, from for- fore- fore- + man
: a first or chief man: as
a. obsolete : a man who goes in advance : leader
b. : a member of a jury that acts as speaker, presides over deliberations, and conducts communication with the court
c.
(1) : a chief and often specially trained workman who works with and commonly leads a gang or crew
(2) : a representative of an owner or management in authority over a group of workers, a particular process or operation, a section of a plant or an entire organization
the old-time ranch foreman had all the responsibilities and few of the benefits of ownership
in the modern industrial plant the foreman is at once a link in the chain of management and a bridge between management and labor
II. transitive verb
( foremaned or foremanned ; foremaned or foremanned ; foremaning or foremanning ; foremans )
: to supervise in the status of a foreman