backcourt

noun

back·​court ˈbak-ˈkȯrt How to pronounce backcourt (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For now, Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell and Normal Powell all seemingly would rank ahead in the backcourt rotation. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2025 Bird won two national titles at UConn, with fellow women’s basketball legend Diana Taurasi alongside her in the backcourt. Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 2 July 2025 Ballots include 10 players total — six in the frontcourt and four in the backcourt. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 1 July 2025 Instead, this is a team that built a system around two non-shooting bigs and oversold the value of their backcourt backups. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for backcourt

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backcourt was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Backcourt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backcourt. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

backcourt

noun
back·​court -ˈkō(ə)rt How to pronounce backcourt (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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