forehand

1 of 3

noun

fore·​hand ˈfȯr-ˌhand 

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

Illustration of forehand

• forehand 3

forehand

2 of 3

adjective

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

3 of 3

adverb

: with a forehand stroke

Examples of forehand in a Sentence

Noun

She hit a forehand across the court.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Winning the biggest tournaments in tennis is usually about coming up with some outrageous forehands and backhand and serves in the biggest moments. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

But eventually, Sabalenka used a powerful forehand winner to get the break, which essentially put her in control of the match the rest of the way. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Sinner broke for 5-4 and then closed it out at love with a forehand overhead winner. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

Peeke went with a forehand wrister that Lankinen was able to stop. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forehand

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

forehand

noun

fore·​hand

-ˌhand

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

forehand adverb or adjective