lateral pass

American

noun

Football.

a short pass thrown or tossed parallel to the line of scrimmage or slightly backward from the position of the passer.

Etymology

Origin of lateral pass

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He then received a lateral pass from Stafford and rushed five yards for his second touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

McCarthy threw a lateral pass to running back Donovan Edwards, who quickly tossed it back laterally to McCarthy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2024

Dallas broke through on its third possession, highlighted by Prescott's 41-yard pass over the middle to Cooper and a lateral pass to Lamb that went for 33 yards to the New Orleans 1.

From Fox News • Dec. 2, 2021

Linebacker Jordan Hicks recovered the fumble and the Eagles took over and threatened to score until Wentz returned the favor, throwing an ill-advised lateral pass that was broken up by cornerback Kendall Fuller.

From Washington Times • Sep. 10, 2017

Again came a bewildering trick-play, with a delayed pass from Innes to Freer and a straight dash at the line by St. Clair after a short lateral pass.

From Left Tackle Thayer by Barbour, Ralph Henry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023