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

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

He ran between a pair of officials, one of whom dived after him and missed, then took off toward the end zone.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

About the only thing missing from his stat line was a touchdown -- something he was denied when a 49-yard charge to the end zone was disallowed after a holding call on center Jalen Sundell.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Antoine spiked the ball in the end zone, and all the Lake Windsor players, except Erik, ran over and jumped on him.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor