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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

touchback

Playing the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys tied the game with seven seconds to go before they kicked off for a touchback, giving the Ravens the ball at the 35-yard-line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

If Eagles kicker Jake Elliott had blasted a kick for a touchback, the Jaguars would have had almost no time—with no timeouts—to make something happen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

But after the kickoff resulted in a touchback, Minter thought he had just enough time to give Loop a chance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

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

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

From Left Guard Gilbert by Edward C. Caswell

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