forecastle

noun

fore·​cas·​tle ˈfōk-səl How to pronounce forecastle (audio)
ˈfȯr-ˌka-səl
variants or fo'c'sle
1
: the forward part of the upper deck of a ship
2
: the crew's quarters usually in a ship's bow

Example Sentences

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, 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, 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, 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.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near forecastle

Cite this Entry

“Forecastle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forecastle. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

forecastle

noun
fore·​cas·​tle ˈfōk-səl How to pronounce forecastle (audio)
ˈfōr-ˌkas-əl,
ˈfȯr-
variants or fo'c'sle
ˈfōk-səl
1
: the forward part of the upper deck of a ship
2
: the living area for the crew in the front part of a ship

More from Merriam-Webster on forecastle

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