running back

noun

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of running back

: a football back (such as a halfback or fullback) who carries the ball on running plays

See running back defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of running back from the Web

Mitchell Schroeder’s sacrifice fly enabled Brookline to get a run back in the bottom of the sixth, but the Warriors were thwarted from the comeback by a game-ending 6-4-3 double play in the seventh.

— karl capen, BostonGlobe.com, "Braintree edges Brookline in D1 South baseball playoffs," 12 June 2018
Brooks had more than 1,000 yards rushing last season as a parttime running back in Chandler's potent, well-rounded offense.

— richard obert, azcentral, "Running wild: Top 10 RBs for 2018 Arizona high school football season," 11 June 2018
The Cubs got that run back in the fifth after Javier Báez ripped a single off the glove of Jesús Aguilar, stole second and scored on a two-out single to left by Almora.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cubs 7, Brewers 2: The frustration continues after late-innings meltdown," 11 June 2018
The Titans scored three runs in the ninth to go up 4-3, but Washington got the run back in the bottom half.

— eric olson, The Seattle Times, "Washington, Mississippi St. go extras to earn berths in CWS," 10 June 2018
Ryle got two runs back in the sixth on two walks and an error, and with the bases loaded, Branson singled to drive in two.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Ryle softball season ends season in state tournament," 8 June 2018
Antonio Brown is a top-two (or the top?) receiver in the league, Le’Veon Bell is the best running back in the NFL, and Ben Roethlisberger is the second-best quarterback in the conference.

— jonathan jones, SI.com, "Predicting Every NFL Team’s 2018 Season Record," 7 June 2018
Williams was Baylor's top running back in 2016, rushing for 1,048 yards and 11 touchdowns.

— joseph duarte, Houston Chronicle, "Running back Terence Williams transfers to Houston from Baylor," 5 June 2018
Texas Tech got two of those runs back in the ninth when Rheams belted a solo leadoff homer and Farhart drove in his third run with a single.

— randy rosetta, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville baseball eliminated from NCAAs with loss to Texas Tech," 3 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'running back.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.