scrimmage

[ skrim-ij ]

noun

1. a rough or vigorous struggle.
2. Football.
   1. the action that takes place between the teams from the moment the ball is snapped until it is declared dead. Compare line of scrimmage.
   2. a practice session or informal game, as that played between two units of the same team.

verb (used with or without object)

, scrim·maged, scrim·mag·ing.

1. to engage in a scrimmage.

scrimmage

/ ˈskrɪmɪdʒ /

noun

1. a rough or disorderly struggle
2. American football the clash of opposing linemen at every down

verb

1. intr to engage in a scrimmage
2. tr to put (the ball) into a scrimmage

Derived Forms

• ˈscrimmager, noun

Other Words From

• scrimmag·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrimmage¹

1425–75; late Middle English, variant of scrimish, metathetic form of skirmish

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrimmage¹

C15: from earlier scrimish, variant of skirmish

Example Sentences

He was also instrumental in shutting down Clemson running back Travis Etienne, who managed 96 yards from scrimmage and a three-yard touchdown in the Sugar Bowl.

From Washington Post

Brady attempted seven passes more than 20 yards past the line of scrimmage and completed four of them.

From Washington Post

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, from the Pittsburgh 22, a bad snap went over the head of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and rolled back toward his end zone.

From Washington Post

Laviolette and his staff started to meet with players after the scrimmage Sunday night regarding roster cuts.

From Washington Post

Among that group, only Dalvin Cook and David Montgomery produced more yards from scrimmage than Jones.

From Washington Post

One of them, Troy Jones, a 19-year-old aspiring photojournalist, remembered Brown from the scrimmage line.

From The Daily Beast

The real line of scrimmage in American politics is the economy.

From The Daily Beast

After the scrimmage, Bustin said Lloyd was “in good spirits and everything seemed to be fine … A lot of the guys go out,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

“He was mentoring a younger guy in the scrimmage about technique you should use,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Theres nothing like a really good scrimmage to make a fellow sure that hes alive, and glad of it.

From Project Gutenberg

A rush—a fine scrimmage—a chance for the goal—life in doing—that was better than any printed page.

From Project Gutenberg

A foot-ball scrimmage under the old rules was nothing to it.

From Project Gutenberg

You, as a woman, have no such duty; nay, it's your positive duty to keep out of the beastly scrimmage.'

From Project Gutenberg

We have carried our colors on to victory in many a mad scrimmage, but never have we done a better job than we did this day.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• scuffle
• skirmish