backcourt

noun

back·​court ˈbak-ˈkȯrt 

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

Instead, the Knicks opted to add defensive-minded veteran Delon Wright, a backcourt depth piece known for playing the passing lanes and generating deflections. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025

After barely playing early in the season, the 6-foot Onyenwere stepped into the starting lineup after the Sky traded Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun at the Olympic break, molding herself into a hybrid guard position to accommodate a lack of backcourt depth. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Houston enjoys one of the nation’s leading 3-point shooting backcourts. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025

But he’s taken 50 fewer attempts than his backcourt mate Coby White (36.4). —Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

backcourt

noun

back·​court -ˈkō(ə)rt 

-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