scrimmage
Americannoun
-
a rough or vigorous struggle.
-
Football.
-
the action that takes place between the teams from the moment the ball is snapped until it is declared dead.
-
a practice session or informal game, as that played between two units of the same team.
-
verb (used with or without object)
noun
-
a rough or disorderly struggle
-
American football the clash of opposing linemen at every down
verb
-
(intr) to engage in a scrimmage
-
(tr) to put (the ball) into a scrimmage
Other Word Forms
- scrimmager noun
Etymology
Origin of scrimmage
1425–75; late Middle English, variant of scrimish, metathetic form of skirmish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Super Bowl marked Walker's third straight playoff game with 100-plus scrimmage yards, making him the only player in Seahawks history to accomplish that feat.
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
But under pressure, Williams retreated so far to buy himself time that he found himself 26.5 yards behind the line of scrimmage when he threw the ball.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026
The formula for his release off the line of scrimmage?
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2025
The Trojans struggled often at the line of scrimmage.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2025
Right before coming to the line of scrimmage, McDougal turned to Bevers and said simply, “This is it.”
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
