forecastle

American  

[fohk-suhl, fawr-kas-uhl, -kah-suhl, fohr-] / ˈfoʊk səl, ˈfɔrˌkæs əl, -ˌkɑ səl, ˈfoʊr- /

Also fo'c'sle.

noun

Nautical.

1. a superstructure at or immediately aft of the bow of a vessel, used as a shelter for stores, machinery, etc., or as quarters for sailors.

2. any sailors' quarters located in the forward part of a vessel, as a deckhouse.

3. the forward part of the weather deck of a vessel, especially that part forward of the foremast.

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forecastle British  

/ ˈfəʊksəl /

noun

1. the part of a vessel at the bow where the crew is quartered and stores, machines, etc, may be stowed

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Etymology

Origin of forecastle

First recorded in 1300–50, forecastle is from the Middle English word forcastel. See fore-, castle

Example Sentences

Romeo followed Wallace up the stairs to the forecastle.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2024

The crew, most of them live up in what’s called the forecastle, sort of a bowdlerization of forecastle, an old-fashioned term.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2017

Up on the forecastle, Hurum and Klein scan the sea through their binoculars for the first signs of the boat.

From The Guardian • Sep. 29, 2015

The expedition’s organizer, a Belgian naval lieutenant named Adrien de Gerlache, had handpicked officers and scientists for their expertise; the mariners who slept in the forecastle had been signed up more casually.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 13, 2015

Brekker gestured Matthias over to where he, Jesper, and Wylan had gathered on the forecastle deck to examine plans of the Ice Court away from the eyes and ears of the crew.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo