end line

noun

, Sports.

1. a line at each end of a court or playing field at right angles to the sidelines that defines one of the lengthwise boundaries of the playing area.
2. a line at each end of a football field parallel to and 10 yards (9 meters) behind the goal line.

Word History and Origins

Origin of end line¹

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20

Example Sentences

Yet it was the experienced, worldly Japanese who elected to bunker in, ceding possession — the U.S. had the ball for all but 10 of the first 45 minutes and for 67 of the regulation 90 minutes — and challenging the Americans to find a way through a wall of five blue-clad defenders that stretched from one end line to the other.

From Los Angeles Times

The Sounders reserves began warming up behind the southern end line, including midfielder Pedro de la Vega.

From Seattle Times

Official Alex Billeter waved off the score, ruling the ball was out-of-bounds when attacker Kyra Carusa got a touch on it at the end line to send an assist into the box.

From Seattle Times

The $421 seats are located behind the end line in the bottom deck at Lower.com Field, according to a Ticketmaster webpage linked to the team’s website.

From Washington Times

Midge Purce hugged the end line as she sent a low cross into the box for Lynn Williams to knock past Reign keeper Claudia Dickey.

From Seattle Times