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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of touchback

First recorded in 1885–90; touch + back ²

Example Sentences

Near the end of the second quarter, Curl forced former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp to fumble the ball out of the end zone for a touchback, preserving the lead.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

But Mitchell lost the ball at the one-yard line and it bounced through the end zone for a touchback that gave the Rams the ball.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2025

The Lions botched downing a punt at the 1-yard line, leading to a touchback.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 28, 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.