noun
forecastle
FOHK-suhl
Forecastle (noun) means the raised deck area at the front of a ship, or the crew's living quarters built within it. Example: “The sailors gathered on the forecastle as the ship left harbour.”
noun
1
The raised deck area at the front of a ship, or the crew's living quarters built within it.
"The sailors gathered on the forecastle as the ship left harbour."
"Below the forecastle were the bunks where the crew slept."
"Waves broke over the forecastle in the rough weather."
How to use forecastle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe raised front section of a ship, and often the crew's quarters inside it.
When to use it
It is a specialist nautical term, though sailors often use its shortened spoken form.
Memory tip
Say it as one contracted word, fo'c'sle, even though it is spelled forecastle.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
the ship's forecastle
forward of the forecastle
forecastle deck
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The sailors gathered on the _____ as the ship left harbour.
Etymology
Forecastle comes from the Middle English forecastel, built from fore- and castle, and has a parallel in the Dutch voorkasteel.
Antonyms
aftcastle
aftercastle
Rhymes for forecastle
See all rhymes for forecastle →Frequently asked questions
What is a forecastle on a ship?
It is the raised structure and deck at the bow, the front of the ship, and it can also hold the crew's quarters.
How is forecastle pronounced?
It is commonly said as FOHK-suhl, a shortened form of the full spelling.
What is the opposite of the forecastle on a ship?
The rear equivalent is called the aftcastle or aftercastle.
What is the meaning of forecastle?
"forecastle" (noun) means the raised deck area at the front of a ship, or the crew's living quarters built within it.
