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

Little did the Lakers know that Dončić (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) would go down heading into the playoffs, but their backcourt backups, Smart and Kennard, had everything to do with their ability to jump out to a 3-0 series lead against Houston (3-1 after Sunday night’s loss). —Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

LeBron James poked the ball away from Houston’s Reed Sheppard in the backcourt. —Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026

With his size and shooting ability, Sykes could start at shooting guard in the backcourt alongside Harding. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026

White was announced Thursday as the 2025-26 recipient of the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award — the same honor his former Celtics backcourt partner, Holiday, took home a year ago. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 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
• distort
• escort
• exhort
• extort

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