backfield

[ bak-feeld ]

/ ˈbækˌfild /

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noun Football.

(used with a plural verb) the members of the team who, on offense, are stationed behind the linemen and, on defense, behind the linebackers.

their positions considered as a unit.

the area where the backs play.

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Origin of backfield

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; back¹ + field

Words nearby backfield

back-end load, backend-to, backer, backer-up, backfall, backfield, backfile, backfill, backfire, backfist, backfit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use backfield in a sentence

He scurried for yardage and scrambled deep into his own backfield to keep plays alive, but the Buccaneers battered and chased him all night.
What went wrong for the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes in a brutal Super Bowl defeat|Adam Kilgore|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
He added 49 catches for 344 yards and three touchdowns out of the backfield.
Ranking the best NFL head coaching openings|Neil Greenberg|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
That has forced the Ravens to line up Ricard at multiple positions — in the backfield and at the Y-tight end spot, which is an in-line blocking position next to an offensive tackle.
A 300-pound former defensive lineman has become an offensive playmaker for the Ravens|Roman Stubbs|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
He caught a five-yarder that he carted inside the left pylon after a nifty plot in which he edged toward the backfield early in the play, then floated quickly out to the left to field Jones’s flip.
The Alabama football dynasty collects another title with a 52-24 rout of Ohio State|Chuck Culpepper, Des Bieler|January 12, 2021|Washington Post

Running back David Montgomery was in the backfield and took a direct snap, then handed the ball to wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson on an apparent end-around.
Saints advance to set up a Drew Brees-Tom Brady showdown in second round|Mark Maske|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
A hulking defender breaks into the backfield and takes him down with a vicious clothesline tackle.
Two New Films Preach Our Nation’s Corrosive Gridiron Gospel|Steve Almond|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After a dozen plays Brimfield had gained half the distance to the Red's goal without having put her new backfield to the test.
Left Tackle Thayer|Ralph Henry Barbour
A plunge at the center, with the whole Banning backfield behind the quarter, who carried, yielded most of two yards.
Left Half Harmon|Ralph Henry Barbour
With McNutt in there, thats a mighty pretty backfield, and Kenlys going to know it three weeks from tomorrow!
Left Half Harmon|Ralph Henry Barbour
Years ago, a winter came on to stay before the corn was all in—a patch of corn on a remote backfield of Jack Miner's farm.
Child and Country|Will Levington Comfort
Tim Otis had a remarkably good day and was undeniably the best man in the backfield for the home team.
Left Guard Gilbert|Ralph Henry Barbour

British Dictionary definitions for backfield

backfield

/ (ˈbækˌfiːld) /

noun American football

the backfield (sometimes functioning as plural) the quarterback and running backs in a team

the area behind the line of scrimmage from which the backfield begin each play

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012