Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

runback

American  
[ruhn-bak] / ˈrʌnˌbæk /

noun

  1. Football.

    1. a run made by a player toward the goal line of the opponents after receiving a kick, intercepting a pass, or recovering an opponent's fumble.

    2. the distance covered in making such a run.

  2. Tennis. the space on a tennis court between the base line and the backstop.


Etymology

Origin of runback

First recorded in 1905–10; noun use of verb phrase run back


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.

See Examples For:

Center David Andrews was examined for a concussion late in the fourth quarter after being leveled by a blindside block by Mike Pennel during a runback following an interception by Zappe.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 25, 2022

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jameson Williams opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return, then added an 81-yard touchdown catch and another 83-yard runback in Alabama’s rout.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 25, 2021

Hardman has the speed to break any runback for Kansas City, too.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 22, 2021

Last year in three of the Rams’ seven losses, he turned the ball over, resulting in the opponent’s scoring — pick six, strip-sack runback, etc.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2020

Pomeroy's ball on Grinnell's forty yard line and Mack Carver's brilliant runback of the initial kick-off reduced to naught!

From Interference and Other Football Stories by Harold Morrow Sherman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training