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.
The Israelis have declared the area running across south Lebanon’s border a red zone, which means ground and combat operations are ongoing. Justin Salhani, The Dial, 5 Mar. 2026 Their 19 red zone field goals tied for the league lead. Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Melania crushed it exactly where she was suppose to in red zone counties per box office metrics corp EntTelligence. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2026 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 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 16 Mar. 2026.

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