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.
Pass interference only occurs when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025 This goes way beyond Hill and Waddle being jammed at the line of scrimmage to disrupt the timing of the short and intermediate passes, and then facing the two-high safety look to take away the deep passes. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025 Baltimore beat Pittsburgh at its own game and out-physical the team at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Antwan Staley, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025 Hafley had three safeties lined up 25 yards off the line of scrimmage, meaning the Packers were almost playing 8 vs. 11. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near line of scrimmage

Cite this Entry

“Line of scrimmage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20scrimmage. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

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
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!