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Showing results for runback. Search instead for Trunkback.

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.

Bengals returner/safety Brandon Wilson was carted off the field with a left knee injury suffered on a runback in the second quarter.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 7, 2021

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

I mean, how often to you get a decent runback anyway?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2021

But Mariano Sori-Marin was called for unnecessary roughness during the runback.

From Fox News • Nov. 13, 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 Sherman, Harold Morrow