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

Chris Paul and Devin Booker formed one of the best backcourts on this list. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

New York's bench backcourt also made key contributions. —Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026

But with Carrington and Vandersloot unavailable, the Sky backcourt is stuck in flux — and could remain that way for more than half the season. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

San Antonio outlasted a team with the eighth-best scoring margin of all time to get here, even with injuries to De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, two key backcourt players. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 2 June 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