backfield

UK: /ˈbækˌfiːld/ US: /ˈbækˌfild/ ,(bak′fēld′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

back•field /ˈbækˌfild/   n. [countable]

1. Sport the members of a football team stationed behind the linemen or the linebackers.
2. Sport the area in which the backfield plays.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

back•field  (bak′fēld′), n. [Football.]

1. Sport (used with a pl. v.) the members of the team who, on offense, are stationed behind the linemen and, on defense, behind the linebackers.
2. Sport their positions considered as a unit.
3. Sport the area where the backs play.

• back¹ + field 1910–15, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

backfield / ˈbækˌfiːld/ noun

1. the backfield ⇒ (sometimes functioning as plural) the quarterback and running backs in a team
2. the area behind the line of scrimmage from which the backfield begin each play