Meaning & use
forecastle
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Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
The forward part of a ship's upper deck, or the crew's living area located there.
Grammar: Countable: a forecastle, the forecastle, two forecastles.
Patterns
- on the forecastle
- the crew's forecastle
The sailors gathered on the forecastle to watch the storm approach.
He was assigned to the forecastle, where he shared a small cabin with three others.
nouncountabletechnical
A short raised deck at the front of a ship, often used for equipment or as a working area.
Grammar: Countable: the forecastle, a forecastle.
Patterns
- raised forecastle
- forecastle deck
The anchor windlass is mounted on the forecastle.
They painted the forecastle a bright white.
Word forms
| plural | forecastles |
|---|
Common combinations
- forecastle deck
- The captain stood on the forecastle deck, scanning the horizon.
- on the forecastle
- There was little space on the forecastle during the drill.
- forward forecastle
- The forward forecastle housed the crew's mess.
- raised forecastle
- The ship had a raised forecastle to deflect waves.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bow
- The front part of a ship; forecastle specifically refers to the deck or crew area there, not just the point.
- fo'c'sle
- A common contraction of forecastle, used especially in nautical speech and writing.
Opposites
Word family
- fo'c'sle noun
- Contracted form of forecastle, often used in dialogue or informal nautical contexts.
Commonly confused: forecastle or foremast?
forecastle vs foremast
The foremast is the mast nearest the bow; the forecastle is the deck area forward of it.
Practice
The crew's quarters were located in the ______, near the front of the ship.
Choose one answer.
Forecastle is the forward part of a ship where crew may live. Stern is the back, bridge is where the ship is steered, and galley is the kitchen.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “forecastle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.