red zone

American  

[red zohn] / ˈrɛd ˌzoʊn /

noun

1. Football. an unofficial term for the area at either end of the field between the 20-yard line and the goal line, considered critical for defense.

   The team’s top-notch defense has allowed opponents to score a touchdown on only 39 percent of trips inside the red zone.

2. an area colored red on a dial or other instrument of measurement, alerting the viewer to unsafe conditions when the needle or indicator enters it.

   To avoid engine damage, do not run the engine with the tachometer needle in the red zone!

3. a restricted area, sometimes specially labeled or marked with red.

   Do not enter the red zone without donning proper PPE.

4. any range of conditions considered unsafe or likely to generate serious problems, such as for physical or financial health.

   Watch that you don’t end up in the red zone with all that stress and so little sleep.

   Some countries are so far into the red zone with debt that marginal changes in repayment terms make no difference.

---

Etymology

Origin of red zone

First recorded in 1940–45; 1970–75 red zone for def. 1

Example Sentences

England were turned over 17 times in the red zone against Scotland, Ireland and Italy, with seven of those because of unforced handling errors.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

The agency is using drones to monitor the red zone and satellite images to assess the speed of the landslide.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

As locals watched a darkening sky, police patrolled streets empty of all but stray cats, while emergency services stood on standby on the edge of the red zone.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Denver have led the league for sacks in each of the past two seasons and been in the top three for rushing defence, red zone defence and fewest points allowed.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

Even though it was a red zone, the car stopped, and a dark-haired woman in a tailored black suit popped out.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai