forecourt

Everyday

1. A forecourt is an open area in front of a building, such as a petrol station, hotel, shop or church. tree →
2. In tennis and similar sports, the forecourt is the part of the court nearest the net. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life (mainly UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand), the forecourt of a petrol station is where the pumps are; safety rules there say no smoking and no phones. In sport, players step into the forecourt to hit volleys. Phrases: «petrol station forecourt», «on the forecourt».

Examples

• We parked on the forecourt of the petrol station. tree →
• No smoking is allowed on the forecourt. tree →
• Children were playing on the church forecourt. tree →
• The hotel forecourt was full of taxis. tree →
• She moved into the forecourt to hit a volley. tree →
• The car dealer had shiny cars lined up on the forecourt. tree →
• In the forecourt was a royal seat of polished jasper, and in the middle of the platform was a basin of purest water that flashed like a mirror. tree →

Note

Built from «fore» (front) + «court» (yard). Countable.