face-off

American  

[feys-awf, -of] / ˈfeɪsˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Ice Hockey.

1. the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.

2. an open confrontation.

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face-off British  

noun

1. ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players

2. a confrontation

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verb

1. to start play by (a face-off)

Etymology

Origin of face-off

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off

Explanation

A face-off is an in-person confrontation, like the face-off between rival ice hockey players or a face-off between presidential candidates on a debate stage. You can use the noun face-off whenever two people have a face-to-face showdown. You could even describe the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr as a face-off (a deadly one, as it turned out). Rival groups or teams confronting each other is also a face-off, like the big championship face-off at the end of basketball season. This sports context is the way the word was originally used, dating from at least 1886.

Example Sentences

The face-off took place at a critical moment before the June 2 primary.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Fury - who had the infamous 11-minute and 20-second stare down with Usyk before their second fight 16 months ago - shared just a short seven-second face-off with Makhmudov, before the 36-year-old left the stage.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Dubois repeatedly questioned Harper's achievements and credentials, while Harper shoved Dubois during a fiery media face-off earlier in the week.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

But they typically happen on a much smaller scale, making Eaton’s potential face-off with the administration unusual.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 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