fair catch

noun

: a catch of a kicked football by a player who gives a prescribed signal, may not advance the ball, and may not be tackled
fair-catch
ˈfer-ˈkach How to pronounce fair catch (audio)
-ˈkech
transitive verb

Examples of fair catch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Nixon was ready to fair catch a Houston punt, but backed away at the final second. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Mims was looking up to catch the ball and signaled for a fair catch, but before the ball arrived Charles blasted him. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2024 Whelan later bombed a 59-yard punt that Colts return man Anthony Gould had to fair catch. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 Then last season, returners could call for a fair catch anywhere, not just in the end zone, for a touchback, resulting in the lowest return rate in NFL history. Susan Baek, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fair catch 

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fair catch was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near fair catch

Cite this Entry

“Fair catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair%20catch. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!