forehand

1 of 3

noun

fore·​hand ˈfȯr-ˌhand How to pronounce forehand (audio)
1
archaic : superior position : advantage
2
: the part of a horse that is before the rider
3
: a forehand stroke (as in tennis or racquets)
also : the side on which such strokes are made

Illustration of forehand

Illustration of forehand
  • forehand 3

forehand

2 of 3

adjective

1
obsolete : done or given in advance : prior
2
: made with the palm of the hand turned in the direction in which the hand is moving
a forehand tennis stroke

forehand

3 of 3

adverb

: with a forehand stroke

Examples of forehand in a Sentence

Noun She hit a forehand across the court.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Andreeva ended the match with one last forehand winner, then dropped to her knees and covered her face with both hands. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 The finish line was now in sight, and the teenager completed the victory with a final break of serve, firing a forehand past Sabalenka and sinking to her knees. — George Ramsay, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Uranus Uranus can be glimpsed as a naked-eye object by people who are blessed with good eyesight and a clear, dark sky, as well as a forehand knowledge of exactly where to look for it. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024 Zheng’s forehand response to Sabalenka’s forehand was often late, and there were times when Sabalenka’s inside-out forehand to Zheng’s backhand seemed to knock the racquet from her grip. — Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for forehand

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forehand was in 1557

Rhymes for forehand

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Forehand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forehand. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

forehand

noun
fore·​hand
-ˌhand
: a stroke made with the palm of the hand turned in the direction in which the hand is moving
forehand adverb or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on forehand

Nglish: Translation of forehand for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about forehand

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