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
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Perry’s runback tied a record set in 1978 for the longest kick return for a touchdown in JCSU program history, and the Charlotte school’s 56-point win represents its largest margin of victory. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025 But the Aggies were called for holding on the runback. Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025 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 | [email protected], 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 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

runback

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