scrimmage

American  

[skrim-ij] / ˈskrɪm ɪdʒ /

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.

   2. a practice session or informal game, as that played between two units of the same team.

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verb (used with or without object)

scrimmaged, scrimmaging

1. to engage in a scrimmage.

scrimmage British  

/ ˈskrɪmɪdʒ /

noun

1. a rough or disorderly struggle

2. American football the clash of opposing linemen at every down

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verb

1. (intr) to engage in a scrimmage

2. (tr) to put (the ball) into a scrimmage

Other Word Forms

• scrimmager noun

Etymology

Origin of scrimmage

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

Example Sentences

The Super Bowl marked Walker's third straight playoff game with 100-plus scrimmage yards, making him the only player in Seahawks history to accomplish that feat.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

This is a remote camera hovering above and behind the line of scrimmage, replicating the perspective one sees in a video game.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

On Friday, it began on the Ducks’ first play from scrimmage, when defensive back D’Angelo Ponds picked off a screen pass and ran it back for a touchdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

Georgia got one snap from scrimmage and had some frantic fun with it, with players making nine lateral tosses like a fledgling rugby squad before quarterback Gunner Stockton was tackled to end the game.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

I’d scored six points during a basketball scrimmage in PE, and Coach Yang told me that if I kept that up, maybe I could try out for the team.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

Related Words

• scuffle
• skirmish