forequarter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical (Butchery, Culinary)
Quick answer
What does “forequarter” mean?
The front section of the body of a butchered quadruped, including a leg and adjacent parts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The front section of the body of a butchered quadruped, including a leg and adjacent parts.
The anterior portion or region of something, especially when considered as a division of a whole. In a broader sense, it can refer to the forward part of a ship or any similar division.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used in both, but practical butchery cuts differ slightly. 'Forequarter' is slightly more common in British meat trade terminology, often specifying beef and lamb.
Connotations
Primarily evokes butchery, farming, or gourmet cooking. Neutral in technical contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, but standard within specialist fields in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “forequarter” in a Sentence
[Verb] the forequarter (e.g., cut, remove, sell)[Adjective] forequarter (e.g., lamb, whole, trimmed)forequarter of [Animal]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forequarter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The forequarter cuts were on special offer at the butcher's.
American English
- He ordered a forequarter roast for the holiday dinner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in wholesale meat trade, pricing, and supply chain discussions.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical, agricultural, or anatomical texts.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly used when discussing specific cuts of meat.
Technical
Standard term in butchery, veterinary anatomy, and culinary arts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forequarter”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forequarter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forequarter”
- Using 'forequarter' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'some forequarter'). It's countable: 'a forequarter', 'two forequarters'.
- Confusing it with 'foreleg' (just the leg) or 'shoulder' (a smaller, more specific cut).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost exclusively. While it can technically describe the front section of anything divided into quarters, this usage is very rare. Its primary domain is butchery and meat preparation.
Primarily quadrupeds raised for meat, such as cattle (beef), sheep (lamb/mutton), pigs (pork), and deer (venison). It is not typically used for poultry or fish.
The direct opposite is 'hindquarter', which refers to the rear section of the butchered animal.
No, 'forequarter' is a noun. There is no standard verb form. You would use phrases like 'to cut the forequarter' or 'to separate the forequarter'.
The front section of the body of a butchered quadruped, including a leg and adjacent parts.
Forequarter is usually formal, technical (butchery, culinary) in register.
Forequarter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːˌkwɔːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔrˌkwɔrtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FORE (front) + QUARTER (a fourth part) = the front fourth of an animal's body.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WHOLE IS DIVIDED INTO PARTS (the animal is divided into forequarter and hindquarter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'forequarter' most appropriately used?