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 (opposed to background).

2. a prominent or important position; forefront.

---

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

---

verb

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

Etymology

Origin of foreground

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

Explanation

When you're watching a movie, you can describe what's happening up close to the camera as being in the foreground. The foreground is the opposite of the background, which is the part of a photograph, painting, or scene that's farthest away from you. Some photographers tend to focus sharply on the foreground while letting the rest of the picture go blurry. The noun foreground was first used specifically for talking about painting, and it came from fore, "before" or "in front," and ground, or "foundation."

Example Sentences

The color is murky, the composition undeveloped, the foreground possibilities unutilized; often some element in the middle or remote distance is rendered in devoted detail to the disparagement of everything else.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

In the foreground of the painting was a car encampment with a tattered floral sheet woven through the windows, cloth tarps and couch cushions creating a shield against the elements.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The iconic photograph taken by astronaut William Anders captured the bright blue Earth against the vast darkness of space, with the Moon's cratered surface in the foreground.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Both shows foreground queer characters – bisexual men and women, specifically – whose attractions aren’t discounted or given short shrift.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2026

Already you are studying the foreground for a way down to the stream over the steep rocks and wondering if that notch ahead will get you through to the neighboring valley.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• forefront