running back

noun

: a football back (such as a halfback or fullback) who carries the ball on running plays

Examples of running back 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.
Hubbard has been carrying the weight of the run game pretty much by himself through four weeks; his usage wasn’t helped by the fact that backup running back Jonathon Brooks was placed on IR because of surgery to his core. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, West Virginia has one of the nation’s most exciting offenses, led by former TCU running back Cam Cook and Oklahoma transfer quarterback Michael Hawkins. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 There’s a season-long competition to be the best running back in the City Section among Brandon Hernandez of Panorama, Ceasar Reyes of Garfield and Tru Warrior Casas of Fairfax. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 The third-year running back had a career-high 116 yards rushing and the winning 22-yard touchdown on 24 carries, filling in for the second game in a row for Hall. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for running back

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of running back was in 1891

Rhymes for running back

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Browse Nearby Words

running account
running back
running backstay
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Cite this Entry

“Running back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20back. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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