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.
Christie started Carter and Clifford in the backcourt with Daeqwon Plowden, Achiuwa and Maxime Raynaud in the frontcourt. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026 Patrick Smith / Getty Images Meanwhile, had a Duke player simply held on to the ball, the Huskies would have been forced to foul because the Blue Devils were not in danger of a 10-second backcourt violation. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026 Mullins recovered in the backcourt, passed to Alex Karaban, who turned to find Cameron Boozer closing on him. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 In the days that followed, the Knicks adjusted, including a move to acquire Jose Alvarado to reinforce the backcourt. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026 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 1 Apr. 2026.

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
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