touchback

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noun

The result of a play (usually a kickoff or punt) in which the ball passes out the back of the end zone or a team otherwise gains possession of the ball in their own end zone.

“The ball sailed into the end zone for a touchback and the Eagles had possession on the 20-yard line. https://web.archive.org/web/20060111202354/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gameday/postGameArchive.jsp?id=16746”

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Meanings

nountouchback (plural touchbacks)

plural touchbacks

  1. American footballThe result of a play (usually a kickoff or punt) in which the ball passes out the back of the end zone or a team otherwise gains possession of the ball in their own end zone.

    The ball sailed into the end zone for a touchback and the Eagles had possession on the 20-yard line. https://web.archive.org/web/20060111202354/http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gameday/postGameArchive.jsp?id=16746

Origin

Presumably: touchdown + back

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

touchback. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/touchback

MLA

“touchback.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/touchback. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “touchback,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/touchback.

Source: touchback on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.