face-off

1 of 2

noun

1
: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped or placed between them
2

face off

2 of 2

verb

faced off; facing off; faces off

intransitive verb

: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate

Examples of face-off in a Sentence

Noun the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges Verb eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
British rap star Skepta has issued a challenge to A$AP Rocky to face-off in a rap battle as part of an all-out lyrical clash between UK and US rappers. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 7 July 2025 Landon would resurface later in the six-episode season, as part of the team of friends and family that helps Riri re-re-rebuild her suit, in time for a pivotal face-off with The Hood. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 July 2025
Verb
However, legislation that would have increased cash benefits to disabled workers never made it through the first committee this year, so the contending forces will face off sometime in the future. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 28 June 2025 The next time the two NL West rivals will face off is Aug. 15-17 in Los Angeles and Aug. 22-24 in San Diego. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of face-off was in 1889

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-off. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

face-off

1 of 2 noun
ˈfā-ˌsȯf
1
: a method of putting a puck in play in ice hockey by dropping it between two opposing players
2
: a meeting of opposing forces : confrontation

face off

2 of 2 verb
: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off each other in a debate

More from Merriam-Webster on face-off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!