back judge

noun

: a football official whose duties include keeping the game's official time and identifying eligible pass receivers

Examples of back judge 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.
Brawley’s offense waited for the back judge to signal five seconds left on the play clock before snapping. The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 This is the first challenge since the Supreme Court scaled back judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions. Cate Martel, The Hill, 10 July 2025 There are seven officials assigned to each game, and each takes on a different role according to their title (referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, field judge, side judge and back judge). Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 Tom, who worked as a WNBA official for 22 years, is the back judge, and Mark and Jim are the side judges. Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back judge

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back judge was in 1947

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Cite this Entry

“Back judge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20judge. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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