backcourt

American  

[bak-kawrt, -kohrt] / ˈbækˌkɔrt, -ˌkoʊrt /

noun

1. Basketball. the half of a court in which the basket being defended is located.

2. Tennis. the part of a tennis court between the base line and the line, parallel to the net, that marks the in-bounds limit of a service.

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backcourt British  

/ ˈbækˌkɔːt /

noun

1. tennis the part of the court between the service line and the baseline

2. (in various court games) the area nearest the back boundary line

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Etymology

Origin of backcourt

First recorded in 1765–75; back ¹ + court

Example Sentences

The Minnesota Timberwolves lost their entire starting backcourt during their first-round upset victory over Denver.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Trailing by three with 25 seconds left, James pressured the ball in the backcourt, forcing a turnover that gave L.A. the ball back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

His starting backcourt mate, Austin Reaves, also is a good rebounder but he also won’t play because of a Grade 2 left oblique strain.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

The team lost Julie Allemand to Toronto in expansion, creating room in the backcourt but a specific need for a facilitator.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

He was in the backcourt with Trip and every time Trip passed him the ball he passed it right back or threw it in to Jose, who was playing center.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers