foremost

1 of 2

adjective

fore·​most ˈfȯr-ˌmōst 

1

: first in a series or progression

Safety is their foremost concern.

2

: of first rank or position : preeminent

He is the foremost authority on the American Revolutionary period.

foremost

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in the first place

2

: most importantly

first and foremost

Synonyms of foremost

Adjective

• main
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• first
• predominant
• dominant
• big
• leading
• chief

Examples of foremost in a Sentence

Adjective

Albert Einstein is regarded by many as the foremost figure of the 20th century.

wanted to speak to the foremost supervisor in our department

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

One man who always has a lot to say is Josh Pate, the college football commentator who started from humble beginnings and is now one of the foremost voices in the sport. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

If aesthetics is the foremost priority, Lulu and Georgia offers office furniture that would look more at home in an interior design studio than a corporate high-rise. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026

Adverb

The once-ragtag group now controlled the Bab el Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s foremost maritime trade chokepoints. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Seeing the internet’s foremost disciple of glow meet the internet’s foremost purveyor of good lighting, though, feels quite satisfying—who else needs another excuse to update that Sephora cart? — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Adverb

Middle English formest, from Old English, superlative of forma first; akin to Old High German fruma advantage, Old English fore fore

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foremost

• first and foremost
• foremost/uppermost in someone's mind

Rhymes for foremost

• diagnosed
• easternmost
• innermost
• lowermost
• milepost
• northernmost
• outermost
• rearmost
• southernmost
• uppermost
• uttermost
• westernmost

Kids Definition

foremost

adjective

fore·​most

-ˌmōst

: first in time, place, or order : most important

foremost adverb