fore·ground
ˈfȯr-ˌgrau̇nd 
1
: the part of a scene or representation that is nearest to and in front of the spectator
Objects in the foreground seem larger than those in the background.
2
: a position of prominence : forefront
We want this issue to be in the foreground.
3
: a level of computer processing at which the processor responds immediately to input to a designated high-priority task compare background
foregrounded; foregrounding; foregrounds
: to bring to the foreground
especially
: to give prominence or emphasis to
Examples of foreground in a Sentence
Noun
We want the issue to be in the foreground.
Verb
Public discussion has foregrounded the issue of health care.
repeatedly foregrounded his experience in international affairs in the course of his campaign for the presidency
Recent Examples on the Web
ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
The little French-style inn, which opened in 1930, stands in sharp relief in the foreground while City Hall hovers like a faint ghost in the background, suggesting that a more modern version of L.A. is on the verge of materializing out of thin air.
—Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2025
Set at first in 2007, when Hamas seized control after a brief civil war with opposing party Fatah, the story backgrounds the politics while foregrounding a low-key crime dramedy filled with flashes of dark humor.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreground
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Noun
Character models in the distance no longer animate at a lower frame rate than those in the foreground.
—ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
The little French-style inn, which opened in 1930, stands in sharp relief in the foreground while City Hall hovers like a faint ghost in the background, suggesting that a more modern version of L.A. is on the verge of materializing out of thin air.
—Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Verb
Rather than these factual bullet-points serving as a backdrop to explore Mengele, they become foregrounded to the point of subsuming any sense of overarching theme, let alone a cinematic fluidity between eras.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2025
Set at first in 2007, when Hamas seized control after a brief civil war with opposing party Fatah, the story backgrounds the politics while foregrounding a low-key crime dramedy filled with flashes of dark humor.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreground
Cite this Entry
“Foreground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreground. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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