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Meaning & use

front court

noun·Advancedsport

Last updated

UK/ˌfrʌnt ˈkɔːt/
US/ˌfrʌnt ˈkɔːrt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablesport

    In basketball, the half of the court that holds the basket a team is trying to score in.

    Grammar: Usually used with the: the team crossed into the front court.

    Patterns

    • in the front court
    • bring the ball into the front court

    The guard dribbled the ball into the front court before the shot clock ran low.

    If a team crosses into the front court and then goes back, the referee blows the whistle.

    The coach asked everyone to move quickly into the front court after the rebound.

  2. nouncountablesport

    The group of taller players, usually forwards and a center, who play near the basket rather than handling the ball far from it.

    Grammar: Treated as a group noun: the front court was strong this season.

    Patterns

    • a strong front court
    • the team's front court

    Their front court of three tall players dominated the rebounds.

    Injuries to the front court forced the coach to use younger players.

    The college recruited two new players to strengthen its front court.

Word forms

pluralfront courts

Common combinations

cross into the front court
She crossed into the front court with a clear lane to the basket.
strong front court
A strong front court helps a team grab missed shots.
front court violation
A front court violation was called when the ball went backward over the line.
front court player
He is a front court player known for his blocks.

Synonyms and how they differ

frontcourt
Frontcourt is the same word written as one word and is the more common spelling in sports reporting.
forward line
Forward line names only the players, whereas front court can also mean the area of the floor.

Opposites

backcourt

Word family

backcourt noun
the half of the court a team defends, or the guards who play there
court noun
the marked area where the game is played
frontcourt noun
alternative spelling of front court

Commonly confused: front court or forecourt?

front court vs forecourt

A forecourt is an open area at the front of a building or a petrol station, not part of a sports court.

Practice

In basketball, a team's tallest players are often called its ___.

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