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.
Expect the Vikings to do a hefty amount of running toward the left side of the line of scrimmage. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The five-star freshman had just 15 yards in three catches, all three of which came at or behind the line of scrimmage. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Drawing up a bubble screen lateral from your own 25, and the trusting that the receiver A) stays behind the line of scrimmage, and then B) gets the ball down field enough to give his guy a chance is such a ballsy play to draw up. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 None of Tagovailoa’s pass attempts traveled more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 29 Aug. 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

See All Rhymes for line of scrimmage

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 3 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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