backfield

noun

back·​field ˈbak-ˌfēld 

: the football players whose positions are behind the line of scrimmage

also : the positions themselves

Examples of backfield in a Sentence

a tackle made in the backfield

The team has a strong backfield.

Recent Examples on the Web

The day before Carroll flew out in space and brought down a ball carrier for a significant loss in the backfield. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2025

Now the new Bears head coach adds a versatile and explosive back to pair with D'Andre Swift, giving Chicago a one-two punch in the backfield. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025

Johnson was known for moving receivers all over the field and sometimes lining them up in the backfield while constructing Detroit’s high-powered offense. —Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

But there are still things to be worked out in the backfield alongside redshirt junior quarterback Maddux Madsen. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backfield

• afield
• airfield
• annealed
• appealed
• brownfield
• coalfield
• concealed
• congealed
• cornfield
• downfield
• goldfield
• hayfield

Kids Definition

backfield

noun

back·​field -ˌfēld 

: the football players who line up behind the line of scrimmage