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
Serves and forehands and backhands have to find tiny spots on the surface. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Two small birds sat atop the net in Louis Armstrong Stadium during the middle of a point and play continued, with both players hitting multiple shots before Medvedev angled a forehand toward the corner that caused one of the birds to fly up. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Sinner broke for 5-4 and then closed it out at love with a forehand overhead winner. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 Peeke went with a forehand wrister that Lankinen was able to stop. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025 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

See All Rhymes for forehand

Browse Nearby Words

forehammer
forehand
forehanded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forehand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forehand. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about forehand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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