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two-minute warning

American  
[too-min-it] / ˈtuˌmɪn ɪt /

noun

Football.
  1. a timeout called by an official to notify both teams that two minutes remain in a half.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With the two-minute warning looming, and first downs proving near-impossible to earn, Stidham attempted a hugely risky 30-yard pass and gave away a fatal interception.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

Dutifully, fill-in Max Mitchell checked the box with a false start just before the two-minute warning.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2024

But on the next play, Smith was sacked by Harold Landry setting up another key third down — this time Seattle needing 14 yards to convert, on a play that snapped after the two-minute warning.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2023

As the two-minute warning approached in the second quarter, a message reading “Make some noise” on the scoreboard went mostly unheeded.

From Washington Times • Oct. 5, 2023

When the announcer calls the two-minute warning for our race, the other girls pull me into a four-way huddle.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

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