1. the front part of a four-legged animal’s body, including the shoulders, chest, and front legs
Usage: anatomy; veterinary
2. the front section of a carcass or cut of meat from a four-legged animal
Usage: butchery; cooking

Examples

• The horse injured its forequarters in the fall.
• The veterinarian examined the dog’s forequarters for signs of lameness.
• The butcher separated the forequarters from the hindquarters.
• Beef forequarters are typically less expensive than hindquarters.
• The lamb’s forequarters were used to make stew.
• Strong forequarters are important for a working horse.