forward pass

noun

: a pass (as in football) made in the direction of the opponent's goal

Examples of forward pass 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.
There are no pads and no forward passes — kicking is the only way to advance the ball through the air. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 Pass interference only occurs when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025 Later in this same sequence, the ball is moved out to right-back Jules Kounde, with the front two of Vinicius Jr and Mbappe again unable to get a foot in to stop the forward pass. Thom Harris, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025 The Buckeyes reported $20 million roster had lost to Oregon and a bad Michigan team that struggled to complete a forward pass, raising questions about head coach Ryan Day’s tenure in Columbus. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forward pass

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forward pass was in 1890

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Forward pass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forward%20pass. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

forward pass

noun
: a pass in football thrown in the direction of the opponent's goal

More from Merriam-Webster on forward pass

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!