facedown

American  

[feys-doun, feys-doun] / ˈfeɪsˈdaʊn, ˈfeɪsˌdaʊn /

adverb

1. with the face or the front or upper surface downward.

   He was lying facedown on the floor. Deal the cards facedown on the table.

---

noun

1. Informal. Also face-down a direct confrontation; showdown.

Etymology

Origin of facedown

1930–35; facedown ( def. 1 ) face + down ¹; facedown ( def. 2 ) noun use of verb phrase face down

Example Sentences

In an interview, Celinski told AP that on that night he had not known holding someone facedown could be risky, and had safely used the technique his entire career.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2024

“Minutes later, I returned and found him facedown in the pillow,” Tom later wrote.

From Slate • May 2, 2024

Body paint and lying facedown for an hour: what it was like being Margo Robbie’s body double for “Barbie.”

From New York Times • Jun. 24, 2023

If I finished that plate, I’d be facedown on my keyboard.

From Washington Post • Mar. 13, 2023

The teacher hands the quizzes back, and I leave mine facedown on the desk.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass