runback

noun

run·​back ˈrən-ˌbak How to pronounce runback (audio)
: a run made in football after catching an opponent's kick or intercepting a pass

Examples of runback 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.
With Ritt’s runback with 1:03 left in the fourth quarter, coach Chuck Kyle called for a 2-point conversion. Matt Goul, cleveland, 5 Nov. 2022 Two epic plays: James Harrison’s 100-yard interception runback for a touchdown as the clock ran out in the first half and Santonio Holmes’ unbelievable catch of a Ben Roethlisberger pass to win the game in the waning seconds. Al Michaels, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2022 The fourth-round draft pick out of Iowa State scored on a 99-yard runback last week at San Francisco to become the first NFL player with multiple kickoff return touchdowns in a season since Cordarrelle Patterson had two for the Vikings in 2016. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 5 Dec. 2021 Thorne threw an interception on an end-of-half Hail Mary attempt that nearly turned into a big play for the Terps until his tackle on the runback. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 13 Nov. 2021 See All Example Sentences for runback

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of runback was in 1905

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Cite this Entry

“Runback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runback. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

runback

noun
run·​back ˈrən-ˌbak How to pronounce runback (audio)
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