end zone

American  

[end zohn] / ˈɛnd ˌzoʊn /

noun

1. Football. an area at each end of the field between the goal line and the end line.

2. Ice Hockey. an area at each end of the rink between the goal line and the closer of the two blue lines.

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end zone British  

noun

1. American football the area behind the goals at each end of the field that the ball must cross for a touchdown to be awarded

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Etymology

Origin of end zone

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

A running back tackled at the 1-yard line has not reached the end zone.

From Slate • Jun. 26, 2026

Seattle trailed 12-7 when quarterback Russell Wilson unleashed a desperate heave to the end zone in the final seconds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

That’s when quarterback Fernando Mendoza dropped back to pass, absorbed a hit and floated a ball toward receiver Omar Cooper at the back of the end zone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Near the end of his set, Bad Bunny proclaimed, “God bless America,” as he reached the end zone, before naming all the countries in North and South America as dancers waved their respective flags.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

Twice a receiver ran under that heave and kept on running, 95 yards into the end zone.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor