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

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

So there is a little bit, like, foreground, background, as far as what’s white noise and what comes up to the front.

From The Wall Street Journal

Onlookers are invited to be mesmerized by the fuchsia flames of Gwi-Ma’s realm as the movie’s hooky synth pop bounces in the foreground.

From Salon

Bishop placed movable cameras with different focal lengths on opposite sides of the ring to capture the action, almost always with the ropes visible in the foreground.

From Los Angeles Times

Appropriately, Veiel foregrounds the unavoidable truth: Extras in her movies ended up at concentration camps, something she lied about.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forefront