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.

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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

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