line of scrimmage

noun

, Football.

1. an imaginary line parallel to the goal lines that passes from one sideline to the other through the point of the football closest to the goal line of each team.

line of scrimmage

noun

1. American football an imaginary line, parallel to the goal lines, on which the ball is placed at the start of a down and on either side of which the offense and defense line up

Word History and Origins

Origin of line of scrimmage¹

First recorded in 1905–10