forecastle

[ fohk-suhl, fawr-kas-uhl, -kah-suhl, fohr- ]

/ ˈfoʊk səl, ˈfɔrˌkæs əl, -ˌkɑ səl, ˈfoʊr- /

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noun Nautical.

a superstructure at or immediately aft of the bow of a vessel, used as a shelter for stores, machinery, etc., or as quarters for sailors.

any sailors' quarters located in the forward part of a vessel, as a deckhouse.

the forward part of the weather deck of a vessel, especially that part forward of the foremast.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Also fo'c's'le, fo'c'sle.

Origin of forecastle

First recorded in 1300–50, forecastle is from the Middle English word forcastel.See fore-, castle

Words nearby forecastle

foreboding, forebody, forebrain, forecaddie, forecast, forecastle, forecastle deck, forecastle head, fore-check, forechoir, forecited

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use forecastle in a sentence

No vestige was left of her stern or forecastle, both of which were before so very conspicuous.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
He reached the forward deck, and was already climbing the forecastle ladder, when he heard someone speaking near him.
Michael Strogoff|Jules Verne
The whole ship's company consisted of an immense multitude, there being in the forecastle alone 600 seamen.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 3 of 8|Various
But when one comes to look for real forecastle songs, written by a sailor, and smelling of pitch and tar, one finds very few.
Studies in Folk-Song and Popular Poetry|Alfred M. Williams

One struck our taffrail, and another killed a man on the forecastle; but our rigging escaped.
Peter the Whaler|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for forecastle

forecastle

fo'c's'le or fo'c'sle

/ (ˈfəʊksəl) /

noun

the part of a vessel at the bow where the crew is quartered and stores, machines, etc, may be stowed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012