backfield

noun

back·​field ˈbak-ˌfēld How to pronounce backfield (audio)
: the football players whose positions are behind the line of scrimmage
also : the positions themselves

Examples of backfield in a Sentence

a tackle made in the backfield The team has a strong backfield.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Buffs star, left on an island with a wave of white jerseys closing in, juked four pass-rushers in the backfield, cut back to his left and shifted gears. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024 Signed over from the divisional rival New York Giants in the offseason, Barkley has paid massive dividends in the backfield. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024 Kain Medrano has notched five tackles for loss, spending enough time in the backfield to collect loyalty points. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 Heading into the game, Sarkisian noted how exceptional Manning was with deep throws, though with a tendency to force the issue instead of checking down and letting the hands and legs of those coming out of backfield get the job done. Tom Layberger, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for backfield 

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backfield was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near backfield

Cite this Entry

“Backfield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfield. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

backfield

noun
back·​field -ˌfēld How to pronounce backfield (audio)
: the football players who line up behind the line of scrimmage
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!