line of scrimmage

noun phrase

: an imaginary line in football that is parallel to the goal lines and tangent to the nose of the ball laid on the ground and marks the position of the ball at the start of each down

Examples of line of scrimmage 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.
Beyond pressuring quarterbacks and blowing up run plays behind the line of scrimmage, Harris has also forced three fumbles on the season. — Steven Johnson october 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026 After a few plays to bleed time off the clock, UCF brought out the kicking unit on third down, but the kick was blocked and recovered behind the line of scrimmage. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Wisconsin tallied just eight total yards in the first quarter, as the Trojans swarmed the line of scrimmage and terrorized Joseph in the pocket. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 He’s been stopped at the line of scrimmage or for a loss of yardage on seven of the 11 attempts. — Sam McDowell 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for line of scrimmage

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of line of scrimmage was circa 1909

Rhymes for line of scrimmage

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Browse Nearby Words

line of Saturn
line of scrimmage
line of sight
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Line of scrimmage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20scrimmage. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

line of scrimmage

: an imaginary line in football parallel to the goal lines and running through the place the ball is laid before each play begins
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