forehand

noun

fore·hand | \ ˈfȯr-ˌhand

Definition of forehand

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 archaic : superior position : advantage

2 : the part of a horse that is before the rider

3 : a forehand stroke (as in tennis or racquets) also : the side on which such strokes are made

forehand

adjective

Definition of forehand (Entry 2 of 3)

1 obsolete : done or given in advance : prior

2 : made with the palm of the hand turned in the direction in which the hand is moving a forehand tennis stroke

forehand

adverb

Definition of forehand (Entry 3 of 3)

: with a forehand stroke

Examples of forehand in a Sentence

Noun

She hit a forehand across the court.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

My forehand thuds, thuds, thuds into the net, or soars embarrassingly high into the sky. — Laura Lippman, Glamour, "The Pleasure of Being Mediocre," 2 May 2019 Then Anderson served out the victory, with Isner sailing a forehand wide on match point. — Howard Fendrich, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois alumnus Kevin Anderson beats John Isner in longest semifinal in Wimbledon history," 13 July 2018 Anderson finally came through on his sixth to lead 25-24, then served out the victory when Isner sailed a forehand wide. — Howard Fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Kevin Anderson outlasts John Isner in second-longest match in Wimbledon history," 13 July 2018 Isner took that set on his third chance, when Anderson flubbed a forehand. — Howard Fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Kevin Anderson outlasts John Isner in second-longest match in Wimbledon history," 13 July 2018 But Kanepi ended a 14-stroke exchange with a cross-court forehand volley winner to break right back, then served out the victory. — Fox News, "No. 1 seed Simona Halep loses in first-round at US Open," 27 Aug. 2018 On this day, though, Kanepi took charge of baseline exchanges, compiling a 26-9 edge in winners, 14 on her favored forehand side alone. — Fox News, "No. 1 seed Simona Halep loses in first-round at US Open," 27 Aug. 2018 Nick Kyrgios has one of the best forehands in tennis. — Tom Perrotta, WSJ, "Nick Kyrgios’s Toughest Opponent at Wimbledon Is Himself," 5 July 2018 And in a fifth set that last 90 minutes, Federer looked, if not like a nearly 37-year-old man, like a uncertain, defensive player who didn't trust his forehand. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "Four Thoughts From Four Quarterfinals: Rafa-Djokovic to Meet, Federer Upset," 11 July 2018

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