face-off

[ feys-awf, -of ]

noun

, Ice Hockey.

1. the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.
2. an open confrontation.

face-off

noun

1. ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players
2. a confrontation

verb

1. to start play by (a face-off)

Word History and Origins

Origin of face-off¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off