foreground

American  

[fawr-ground] / ˈfɔrˌgraʊnd /

noun

1. the ground or parts situated, or represented as situated, in the front; the portion of a scene or picture nearest to the viewer (background ).

2. a prominent or important position; forefront.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put in the foreground.

   The fact that the central character is Italian is not foregrounded.

foreground British  

/ ˈfɔːˌɡraʊnd /

noun

1. the part of a scene situated towards the front or nearest to the viewer

2. the area of space in a perspective picture, depicted as nearest the viewer

3. a conspicuous or active position

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verb

1. (tr) to emphasize (an issue, idea, or word)

Etymology

Origin of foreground

First recorded in 1685–95; fore- + ground ¹

Example Sentences

I drew a symbol for myself with the mountain in the background, and in the foreground were the remains of Ernest B. Lawson Elementary School.

From Literature

The middle-aged artist appears in the picture’s foreground while behind her “are three small figures, dressed in the winter clothing of the girls of forty years ago.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Another photo, this one of his mother wearing a lab coat looking at a plant came to the foreground.

From Literature

But the mix of skyscraper horizon and natural foreground fits perfectly with the theme of this programme - to draw our attention to the wildlife around us, something Marot has been interested in all his life.

From BBC

In the foreground, the midwife, known from Byzantine tradition as Salome, meets Joseph’s eyes as she steadies the water he pours into the baby’s bathtub.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• forefront