runback

American  

[ruhn-bak] / ˈrʌnˌbæk /

noun

1. Football.

   1. a run made by a player toward the goal line of the opponents after receiving a kick, intercepting a pass, or recovering an opponent's fumble.

   2. the distance covered in making such a run.

2. Tennis. the space on a tennis court between the base line and the backstop.

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Etymology

Origin of runback

First recorded in 1905–10; noun use of verb phrase run back

Example Sentences

That’s to say failure is never an option for the 26-year-old Berrios, who leads the NFL in kick return average with 28.9 yards per runback — helped by a 79-yard return last Sunday against Philadelphia.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2021

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jameson Williams opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return, then added an 81-yard touchdown catch and another 83-yard runback in Alabama’s rout.

From Washington Post • Sep. 25, 2021

But Mariano Sori-Marin was called for unnecessary roughness during the runback.

From Fox News • Nov. 13, 2020

Wendell Smallwood had an 86-yard TD runback in a 27-20 loss at Washington a week earlier.

From Washington Times • Oct. 27, 2016

Pomeroy's ball on Grinnell's forty yard line and Mack Carver's brilliant runback of the initial kick-off reduced to naught!

From Interference and Other Football Stories by Sherman, Harold Morrow