red zone

noun

: the area of a football field inside an opponent's 20-yard line

Examples of red zone in a Sentence

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.
Schottenheimer went the other way, and this is despite the evidence that the team was not a great red zone offense and had just turned first-and-goal at the seven to fourth-and-goal at the four. Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026 Matthew Stafford trusts Parkinson, and the 27-year-old tight end’s size is tailor-made for scoring touchdowns in the congested red zone. Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026 The former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach and four-time NFL coordinator specialized in red zone defense with the 49ers. Vic Tafur, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026 Bills scored touchdown in red zone and Broncos settled for field goal. Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for red zone

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red zone was in 1972

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Red zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20zone. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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