foreground

[ fawr-ground ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to put in the foreground:

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

foreground

/ 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreground¹

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

Example Sentences

This is down to the "Moon illusion" which tricks the eye into thinking the Moon is larger when we see it with a foreground of buildings, trees or hills.

From BBC

He added lowrider pinstripes, bright orange marigolds and papel picado in the foreground.

From Los Angeles Times

In the run-up to the release of the twisty weepie “We Live in Time,” A24 released a promotional picture of its main characters, played by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, enjoying a carousel ride together, their giddy pleasure overshadowed by the presence of a golden, bug-eyed and, from the look of things, demonically possessed merry-go-round horse in the foreground of the photo.

From Los Angeles Times

Part of the film’s fun is that many of the scenes feature Norman in the foreground with action often happening behind him.

From Salon

Bell, 82, an acting savant who broke into cinema’s foreground in his sixties, explains that the pages are occupied by a series of questions about the character.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forefront