FOREMOST

foremost, frontmost

(adjective) preceding all others in spatial position; “the foremost compartment of the ship”

first, foremost, world-class

(adjective) ranking above all others; “was first in her class”; “the foremost figure among marine artists”; “the top graduate”

foremost

(adjective) situated closest to the bow; “the foremost compartment of the ship”

first, firstly, foremost, first of all, first off

(adverb) before anything else; “first we must consider the garter snake”

foremost, first

(adverb) prominently forward; “he put his best foot foremost”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

foremost (not comparable)

first, either in time or in space

Most forward; front

of a higher rank or position; paramount

(nautical) closest to the bow

Adverb

foremost (not comparable)

in front

prominently forward

especially; particularly

Proper noun

Foremost

A village in Alberta, Canada.

Source: Wiktionary

Fore"most`, a. Etym: [OE. formest first, AS. formest, fyrmest, superl. of forma first, which is a superl. fr. fore fore; cf. Goth. frumist, fruma, first. See Fore, adv., and cf. First, Former, Frame, v. t., Prime, a.]

Definition: First in time or place; most advanced; chief in rank or dignity; as, the foremost troops of an army. THat struck the foremost man of all this world. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition