Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

runback

noun

/ˈrʌnˌbæk/

Definition

The act of returning a kicked ball or an intercepted pass to score, especially in American football.

Examples

After a stunning intercept, the player made an impressive runback for a touchdown.
His runback after the kickoff caught everyone by surprise and energized the team.
The runback strategy can change the momentum of a game within seconds.

Meaning

In sports, particularly football, runback refers to a play where a player catches the ball after a kickoff or interception and runs it back towards the opposing team’s end zone in an attempt to score.