face-off
Americannoun
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the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.
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an open confrontation.
noun
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ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players
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a confrontation
verb
Etymology
Origin of face-off
First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off
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.
The face-off concluded with a warm exchange that underscored the "brotherhood" between the two veterans.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Daredevil star Charlie Cox is also nominated for his supporting performance in Expedition 33, while his castmates Ben Starr and Jennifer English face-off once again in the lead performance category.
From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026
But the 30-year-old star will have to face-off against DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan, although Irish heartthrob Paul Mescal was not nominated for his role as Shakespeare in "Hamnet".
From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026
From the opening face-off, it was immediately clear that a different Canada came ready for battle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
The face-off lasted for seconds that stretched into eternity, and then, with the scrabbling of claws, the dragon fled to the darkness at the rear of the barn.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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.
