backfield

noun

back·​field ˈbak-ˌfēld 

: the football players whose positions are behind the line of scrimmage

also : the positions themselves

Examples of backfield in a Sentence

a tackle made in the backfield

The team has a strong backfield.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then in the fourth quarter, Fleury put wide receiver Rashid Shaheed in the backfield behind Lock, with rookie running back Jadarian Price lined up outside, though the play was nullified by a pre-snap penalty. — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The Tigers have surged to a 2-0 start behind a deep backfield and an aggressive defense that flies around the football. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026

With the duo in the backfield, the Bears led the NFL in rushing for four consecutive seasons from 1983-86. — Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

There is constant motion in the backfield to cover up a downhill running game that is still the Jayhawks’ preferred way to generate points. — Pj Green september 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backfield

• afield
• airfield
• annealed
• appealed
• brownfield
• coalfield
• concealed
• congealed
• cornfield
• downfield
• goldfield
• hayfield

Kids Definition

backfield

noun

back·​field -ˌfēld 

: the football players who line up behind the line of scrimmage