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downfield

American

[doun-feeld] / ˈdaʊnˈfild /

adverb

Football.

past the line of scrimmage and at or toward the goal line of the defensive team.

He sent his receivers downfield. Downfield blocking is important on passes.

Etymology

Origin of downfield

First recorded in 1940–45; down ¹ + field

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.

See Examples For:

downfield

He speaks about the team battling their way downfield and getting good field position.

From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026

They worked it downfield, through the puddles, through and around the demonic Italian players, over halfway and into the enemy 22.

From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2026

Guirassy added another goal just 84 seconds later, breaking downfield and slicing the ball inside the near post to put Dortmund in front.

From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026

The quarterback slowly but surely moves the team downfield.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 29, 2025

She motors downfield so fast she creates a wake of flowing mud that washes over anyone who gets in her way.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

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