forefoot

American  

[fawr-foot, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌfʊt, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

plural

forefeet

1. Zoology. one of the front feet of a quadruped, an insect, etc.

2. Nautical.

   1. the point at which the stem of a hull joins the keel; the forward end of a keel.

   2. a curved member at this point in a wooden hull.

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forefoot British  

/ ˈfɔːˌfʊt /

noun

1. either of the front feet of a quadruped

2. nautical the forward end of the keel

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Etymology

Origin of forefoot

First recorded in 1325–75, forefoot is from the Middle English word forfot, forefote. See fore-, foot

Example Sentences

Unlike the forefoot, which makes contact with the ground only through its hooves, the hind feet also included a fleshy heel pad behind the hooves.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2025

Her custom track shoes, meanwhile, feature six spikes instead of the regular five and more cushion under the forefoot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2025

Johns owns two pairs of electronic socks from Snow Deer, which heat the toes and forefoot zone.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

Adidas say they feature "a revamped geometry with a first-of-its-kind forefoot rocker, placed at 60% of the length of the shoe, to trigger forward momentum and improve running economy".

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2023

I hope Uncle Pumblechook’s mare mayn’t have set a forefoot on a piece o’ ice, and gone down.”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens