touchback
noun
touch·back
ˈtəch-ˌbak 
: a situation in football in which the ball is down behind the goal line after a kick or intercepted forward pass after which it is put in play by the team defending the goal on its own 20-yard line compare safety
Examples of touchback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2018, the NFL introduced a rule that saw any kick that landed in the end zone become an automatic touchback, resulting in the ball being spotted at the 25-yard line.
—
Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
The league is also proposing a rule that would effectively eliminate touchbacks on kickoffs.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
In two games for the Cavaliers, six of his 10 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2023
If the ball lands in the end zone for a touchback, the ball will be placed at the 30-yard line instead of the 25-yard line.
—Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
The play was ruled a touchback and the Chiefs offense got the ball at the 20.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
Dallas started its ensuing post-kickoff drives on the 24-yard-line (Isaiah McDuffie tackle), the 12 (because of penalty) and the 25 twice (both touchbacks).
—Journal Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2024
Four plays later, Jackson hit Flowers again for what appeared to be a touchdown that could cut the deficit to 17-14 … but Sneed popped the ball loose right before Flowers could break the plane, resulting in a touchback and Kansas City possession.
5.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
Went 11-11 on field goals with a long of 45 yards, and also turned 19 of his 28 kickoffs into touchbacks.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024
Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
The league is also proposing a rule that would effectively eliminate touchbacks on kickoffs.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
In two games for the Cavaliers, six of his 10 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2023
If the ball lands in the end zone for a touchback, the ball will be placed at the 30-yard line instead of the 25-yard line.
—Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
The play was ruled a touchback and the Chiefs offense got the ball at the 20.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
Dallas started its ensuing post-kickoff drives on the 24-yard-line (Isaiah McDuffie tackle), the 12 (because of penalty) and the 25 twice (both touchbacks).
—Journal Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2024
Four plays later, Jackson hit Flowers again for what appeared to be a touchdown that could cut the deficit to 17-14 … but Sneed popped the ball loose right before Flowers could break the plane, resulting in a touchback and Kansas City possession.
5.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
Went 11-11 on field goals with a long of 45 yards, and also turned 19 of his 28 kickoffs into touchbacks.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'touchback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Touchback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchback. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
touchback
noun
touch·back
ˈtəch-ˌbak
: the act of downing a football behind the goal line after receiving a kick or intercepting a pass
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