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
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.
The Huskies forced a 3-and-out on Georgia State’s opening drive and got the ball with great field position after a fair catch interference penalty on the Panthers’ punt. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2024 The Raiders signaled for a fair catch, but didn’t recover the ball. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 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. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2024 Then in 2023, the NFL announced that the returning team would be able to signal for a fair catch to advance to the 25. Sam Joseph, CNN, 2 Aug. 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 27 Dec. 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!