forewoman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Professional, Legal
Quick answer
What does “forewoman” mean?
A woman who supervises and directs the work of other workers, especially in a factory, workshop, or jury.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who supervises and directs the work of other workers, especially in a factory, workshop, or jury.
A female leader or supervisor in a manual, technical, or industrial setting; also, the female presiding member of a jury who announces the verdict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the industrial sense may be more prevalent in the UK due to historical manufacturing. The jury sense is equally common in both legal systems.
Connotations
Can sound slightly dated or specifically gendered. The neutral 'foreperson' is increasingly preferred, especially in legal/official contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency overall; more common in specific industrial or legal reports than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “forewoman” in a Sentence
Forewoman of [the jury/team/department]Forewoman for [a company/contractor]Forewoman on [the shift/project]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forewoman” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The forewoman on the weaving mill floor ensured quality control was meticulously maintained.
- After deliberations, the forewoman of the jury stood to deliver the unanimous verdict.
American English
- The construction forewoman coordinated the subcontractors' schedules for the new downtown high-rise.
- The jury forewoman read the guilty verdict in a clear, steady voice.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR, manufacturing, and project management contexts to denote a female supervisory role.
Academic
Rare; appears in historical, sociological, or labour studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in legal transcripts (jury) and some industrial/union documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forewoman”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forewoman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forewoman”
- Using 'foreman' for a woman (though historically accepted, now often considered non-inclusive).
- Confusing 'forewoman' with 'chairwoman' (the latter is for meetings/boards, not manual labour/juries).
- Misspelling as 'fourwoman' or 'forwoman'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is becoming less common as gender-neutral terms like 'supervisor' or 'foreperson' are preferred. It persists in some traditional industries and in the specific legal context of a jury.
A forewoman typically has hands-on, direct oversight of workers on a specific site, shift, or project (often manual or technical). A manager has a broader, often administrative, role and may not be on the shop floor.
Historically, 'foreman' was often used generically. In modern, inclusive language, it is considered inaccurate and potentially disrespectful to use 'foreman' for a woman. 'Forewoman' or 'foreperson' should be used.
Yes, typically the members of a jury elect one of their members to serve as the foreperson (forewoman/foreman) to lead discussions and deliver the verdict.
A woman who supervises and directs the work of other workers, especially in a factory, workshop, or jury.
Forewoman is usually formal, professional, legal in register.
Forewoman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːˌwʊmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːrˌwʊmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take the forewoman's chair”
- “The forewoman's eye (for detail)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FORE (in front) + WOMAN = the woman in front of or in charge of others.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEADER IS AT THE FRONT (fore-), AUTHORITY IS A POSITION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'forewoman' LEAST likely to be used today?