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forecastle

noun
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fore·​cas·​tle | \ ˈfōk-səl How to pronounce forecastle (audio) ; ˈfȯr-ˌka-səl \
variants: or \ ˈfōk-​səl How to pronounce fo'c'sle (audio) \

Definition of forecastle

1 : the forward part of the upper deck of a ship
2 : the crew's quarters usually in a ship's bow

Examples of forecastle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web On the forecastle deck, in the control room, a cheerful, brown-haired Texan named Cassie Bongiovanni sat before four large monitors, which had been bolted to the table. — Ben Taub, The New Yorker, "Thirty-six Thousand Feet," 10 May 2020 The two Advanced Gun Systems were designed to hide their 31.5-foot-long barrels until the moment of firing, reducing the turrets to two metallic lumps on the forecastle. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Everything We Know About the USS Zumwalt Destroyers," 5 Aug. 2019 In moments of leisure, the crew of the Pequod lie in the forecastle swapping tales of women and wandering, singing shanties and dancing jigs. — The Economist, "Born 200 years ago, Herman Melville was globalisation’s first great bard," 18 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forecastle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of forecastle

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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The first known use of forecastle was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Forecastle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forecastle. Accessed 24 Nov. 2020.

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More Definitions for forecastle

forecastle

noun
How to pronounce forecastle (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of forecastle

technical : the front part of the upper deck of a ship where the sailors usually live

See the full definition for forecastle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

forecastle

noun
fore·​cas·​tle | \ ˈfōk-səl How to pronounce forecastle (audio) \

Kids Definition of forecastle

1 : the forward part of the upper deck of a ship
2 : quarters for the crew in the forward part of a ship

More from Merriam-Webster on forecastle

Nglish: Translation of forecastle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about forecastle

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