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

A minute later the forecastle door of La Estrella opened and Captain Ortega stepped out onto the deck.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty