play-action pass

noun

play-ac·​tion pass
: a pass play in football in which the quarterback fakes a handoff before passing the ball

called also play-action

Examples of play-action pass 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 Seahawks scored on a play-action pass from Darnold to Barner for a 16-yard touchdown, increasing their lead to 19-0. Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026 The combination of the strong running game and Klint Kubiak’s use of play-action pass will be tough on New England’s defense. Mike Sando, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026 The only thing that may be crazier than the actual football life is this satirical comedy-drama that has more to do with a hedonistic existence than play-action passes. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 One of their few tendencies was playing from a five-man front on early downs and playing man coverage behind it, a way to force an overmatched O-line to block 1-on-1 and combat the Texans' bootleg play-action passes. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for play-action pass

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of play-action pass was in 1963

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Play-action pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play-action%20pass. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster