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forecourt

American  
[fawr-kawrt, fohr-kohrt] / ˈfɔrˌkɔrt, ˈfoʊrˌkoʊrt /

noun

  1. Tennis. the part of either half of a tennis court that lies between the net and the line that marks the inbounds limit of a service.

  2. a courtyard before the entrance to a building or group of buildings.


forecourt British  
/ ˈfɔːˌkɔːt /

noun

  1. a courtyard in front of a building, as one in a filling station

  2. Also called: front court.  the front section of the court in tennis, badminton, etc, esp the area between the service line and the net

"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

Etymology

Origin of forecourt

First recorded in 1525–35; fore- + court

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 40-foot elevation drop from the General Hospital forecourt to the commercial hub will be ameliorated by raising the low area about 20 feet.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Fuel thefts have surged by 62% across the UK compared to a year ago, according to BBC figures - with one forecourt owner saying drive-offs are costing him £2,000 a week across his five sites.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Executives from forecourt operators and firms including Asda, BP, ExxonMobil and Shell were called to Downing Street for talks with Ed Miliband and finance minister Rachel Reeves.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

When lorry driver Rod Quaite pulled up to the forecourt of a supermarket to fill up with diesel last weekend he found it had run out.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

From below the windows in the forecourt, the military band struck up “God Save the Queen.”

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

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