foremost definition

USAGE SUMMARY

"foremost definition" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when emphasizing the most important or primary definition of a term or concept. An example could be: "The foremost definition of democracy is the rule by the people." Alternative expressions include "primary definition" and "principal definition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

First and foremost, definitions presuppose that there is a definable object; that is to say, that it must have a stable nature.

SEP

First, definitions.

The Guardian

This results in a methodology that concentrates first and foremost on the task definition.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

A useful reference material first and foremost requires a clear definition of the measurand.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

First and foremost, better and clearer definitions are needed.

Forbes

Foremost among them is the definition of "patentable subject matter," in other words, reaching universal agreement on what may be patented, a topic of vigorous debate.

MIT Technology Review

I think it depends on your definition of disruption, first and foremost.

Vice

The dictionary definition of infidelity includes, first and foremost, an act of sex that occurs with an individual outside of marriage.

Huffington Post

Future research needs to first, and foremost, work towards creating a universal definition of patient violence.

BMC Nursing

I guess I should have known that one of the world's foremost consciousness researchers would have multiple definitions are the ready.

Vice

In writing a biography of someone who is first and foremost a figuration, one that cannot by definition be transparent, the sensible course is to examine what exactly he's a figuration of – and this is the approach Mayer adopts.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "foremost definition", ensure that the context clearly indicates you are referring to the most important or primary meaning of the term. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "foremost definition" when simply providing a definition among several; reserve it for instances where you need to highlight the most critical or fundamental meaning of a term. Otherwise, a simpler "definition" will suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foremost definition" functions as a modifier to the word "definition", specifically highlighting that the definition being presented is the most important or primary one. It serves to emphasize the significance of a particular meaning over other possible interpretations. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foremost definition" is a phrase used to emphasize the most important or primary meaning of a term. It's grammatically correct and, while not extremely common, appears across various contexts. As reported by Ludwig AI, using it correctly requires an understanding of its emphatic nature. Alternatives such as "primary definition" or "chief definition" can be used for similar emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure you're truly highlighting the most critical meaning to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary definition

Replaces "foremost" with "primary", emphasizing the order of importance.

chief definition

Substitutes "foremost" with "chief", highlighting the main or principal definition.

principal definition

Uses "principal" instead of "foremost", stressing the most significant or fundamental definition.

key definition

Employs "key" to denote the essential or crucial definition.

main definition

Replaces "foremost" with "main", indicating the most important definition.

central definition

Uses "central" to highlight the core or essential meaning.

core definition

Employs "core" to emphasize the most fundamental aspect of the definition.

basic definition

Substitutes "foremost" with "basic", stressing the fundamental or elementary definition.

essential definition

Replaces "foremost" with "essential", indicating the most necessary or indispensable definition.

defining characteristic

Shifts focus from a definition to a defining characteristic, highlighting a key attribute.

FAQs

How can I use "foremost definition" in a sentence?

You can use "foremost definition" to emphasize the primary or most important meaning of a term. For example, "The "foremost definition" of democracy is rule by the people".

What phrases are similar to "foremost definition"?

Similar phrases include "primary definition", "chief definition", and "principal definition", all of which emphasize the main or most important definition.

When is it appropriate to use "foremost definition"?

Use "foremost definition" when you want to highlight the most significant or fundamental meaning of a term, especially when multiple definitions exist and you need to emphasize one over the others.

Is "foremost definition" interchangeable with "a definition"?

No, "foremost definition" isn't interchangeable with "a definition". The phrase "foremost definition" implies that you are presenting the most important or primary meaning, whereas "a definition" is a general term for any explanation of a word or concept.