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Synonyms

running back

American  

noun

Football.

  1. an offensive back, as a halfback or fullback, whose principal role is advancing the ball by running with it on plays from scrimmage.

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.

He finished with 341 yards on 59 carries last season as the Ravens’ No. 2 running back behind star Derrick Henry.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Former Baltimore running back Keaton Mitchell agreed to terms on a two-year, $9.25-million deal with the Chargers on Thursday, NFL media reported.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

"It was insane, all the 12s that came out. It was cool to see," said Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

On offense, Cross protected quarterback Sam Darnold and helped clear holes for Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker as he ran for 135 yards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Luke could still feel the weight of it in his hand when they went running back into the woods, his entire body shaking with either fear or excitement.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

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.