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

The Sky recentered their backcourt around veteran point guard Skylar Diggins. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026

Then, after Tyler Herro hit a difficult three, Ball immediately turned the ball over on a bad pass in the backcourt. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026

The Lakers went 3-2 in their final five games without Doncic and backcourt mate Austin Reaves, who suffered an oblique strain in the same game in which Doncic was injured. —Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026

Less certain was moving forward with the backcourt pairing of Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, which was mostly uneven in Powell’s first Heat season. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 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