backfield
Americannoun
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(used with a plural verb) the members of the team who, on offense, are stationed behind the linemen and, on defense, behind the linebackers.
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their positions considered as a unit.
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the area where the backs play.
noun
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(sometimes functioning as plural) the quarterback and running backs in a team
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the area behind the line of scrimmage from which the backfield begin each play
Etymology
Origin of backfield
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.
In one instance on Sunday, facing third and short, the center snapped the ball when a receiver was in motion in the backfield and hit him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
So defensive back Kennedy Urlacher came flying into the backfield and collided into Bulldogs quarterback Jayden Mandal, who fell out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
Most of those coverage busts came from USC’s backups at the position, but it does beg questions about the depth in the Trojans’ defensive backfield.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
Opting for Marcus Smith, an excellent and versatile player, but not a specialist full-back, at 15 after the late withdrawal of George Furbank did not settle the backfield defence.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
There were plenty of “how’s”—How much rain’d the backfield get?
From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
