backcourt

noun

back·​court ˈbak-ˈkȯrt 

1

: the area near or nearest the back boundary lines or back wall of the playing area in a net or court game

2

a

: a basketball team's defensive half of the court

b

: the positions of the guards on a basketball team

also : the guards themselves

a team with a strong backcourt

Examples of backcourt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mitchell's backcourt partner, James Harden, just averaged 20-plus points per game in his age-36 season, after all. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

The two Notre Dame guards were set to form a dynamic backcourt in Seattle to revitalize the franchise after a season out of the playoffs; instead, within a year, Loyd requested a trade. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 7 July 2026

At UConn, Dursus and Jovana Popovic join Kayleigh Heckel, Arnold, Ashlynn Shade, Kelis Fisher, Morgan Cheli, Allie Ziebell in a backcourt of varied shapes, sizes and skills. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Keels scored 16 on 5-of-15 shooting, Young 14 on 5 of 13 and Donaldson 11, a Heat backcourt exception in this one, at 4 of 4 from the field. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backcourt

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort

Kids Definition

backcourt

noun

back·​court -ˈkō(ə)rt 

-ˈkȯ(ə)rt

1

: a basketball team's defensive half of the court

2

: the positions of the guards on a basketball team

also : the guards themselves

a team with a strong backcourt