runback
Americannoun
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Football.
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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.
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the distance covered in making such a run.
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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.
The interpretation is important because a below-the-shoulder wave could trick oncoming coverage players into believing a fair catch was called and cause them to back off, giving the returner an advantage on a runback.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 24, 2023
Baylor trailed 23-3 after Nixon’s runback, but made it a game after that.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 1, 2022
Sexton's runback led to a 4-yard scoring run by much-traveled running back Kalen Ballage, now with his fourth team in as many years.
From Fox News ● Aug. 5, 2021
Wendell Smallwood had an 86-yard TD runback in a 27-20 loss at Washington a week earlier.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 27, 2016
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
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.
