front court

American  

noun

1. the section of the court nearest the front wall in certain games, as squash or handball.

2. Basketball.

   1. a team's offensive half of the court.

   2. the players who play offensively in the front court, including the center and the two forwards.

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Etymology

Origin of front court

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Musselman has already managed to remake the Trojans’ now-supersized front court with six new transfer wings and forwards, all of whom are 6-foot-6 or taller.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

Needing help for its undersized front court, the Washington women’s basketball team snagged a commitment from Eastern Michigan center Tayra Eke.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

LSU has several returnees in the front court, including 6-10 senior Derek Fountain, 6-5 senior Mwani Wilkinson, 6-10 sophomore Jalen Reed and 6-6 Tyrell Ward.

From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2023

After Burton’s free throws, North Carolina pushed it to the front court and called timeout with 0.6 seconds left before Sibande came up with a block of Caleb Love as time expired.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 1, 2023

Winding round the steps, it skirted the buildings until it reached the front court, where it coiled and curved, flowing out under the bamboos.

From Hung Lou Meng, Book I Or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel in Two Books by Joly, H. Bencraft