touchback

American  

[tuhch-bak] / ˈtʌtʃˌbæk /

noun

Football.

1. a play in which the ball is downed after having been kicked into the end zone by the opposing team or having been recovered or intercepted there, or in which it has been kicked beyond the end zone.

---

touchback British  

/ ˈtʌtʃˌbæk /

noun

1. American football a play in which the ball is put down by a player behind his own goal line when the ball has been put across the goal line by an opponent Compare safety

---

Etymology

Origin of touchback

First recorded in 1885–90; touch + back ²

Example Sentences

Just like that, his big play went down as a touchback, not a touchdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

With 9:08 left, the Braves got a big break when Mater Dei quarterback Dash Beierly was stripped of the ball by Justin Coach before going into the end zone, resulting in a touchback.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2024

Key Play: L’Jarius Sneed of the Chiefs forces a fumble by Zay Flowers near the goal line, and Trent McDuffie recovers in the end zone for a touchback with 14:52 remaining in the fourth quarter.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 9, 2024

The Chiefs then gave the ball right back two plays later when Mecole Hardman lost a fumble into the end zone for a touchback.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

Carmine finally fell on the ball for a touchback and the excitement in the stands subsided.

From Left Guard Gilbert by Caswell, Edward C.