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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of end zone

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

With the Seahawks down by five in the closing seconds, quarterback Russell Wilson threw deep to receiver Golden Tate in the end zone.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 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

On a crucial play in the fourth quarter he was strip-sacked, allowing Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu to race into the end zone for a game-sealing touchdown.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

The 23-year-old scrambled out of the pocket to earn some crucial first downs and scored the Patriots' only touchdown after Stidham fumbled right in front of the Broncos' end zone.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

At one point the game was stopped and three zebra-shirted officials ran toward one end zone.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli