fair catch

noun

: a catch of a kicked football by a player who gives a prescribed signal, may not advance the ball, and may not be tackled

fair-catch

ˈfer-ˈkach 

-ˈkech

transitive verb

Examples of fair catch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dell filled in at the end of the loss to the Giants after Noel got hurt and was out there for the fair catch after the Chargers' second drive of the day stalled. — Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026

Special teams coordinator Dave Toub said the mistake happened because Remigio did not signal for a fair catch while attempting the field a punt on the run. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Your inability to simply complete a fair catch led directly to a Seahawks touchdown. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

After the Chargers caught a fair catch with no time remaining, Harbaugh used a fair-catch free kick to score before the half. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fair catch

• attach
• bycatch
• despatch
• detach
• dispatch
• mismatch
• nuthatch
• potlatch
• bache
• batch
• brach
• hatch