red zone

noun

: the area of a football field inside an opponent's 20-yard line

Examples of red zone 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.
Armstrong gives the Chiefs a tall target among a shorter group, and his potential as a red zone blocker should only help his case to make the 53-man roster. Jesse Newell, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 So two red zone trips translate into two turnovers for Lake Nona. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 But even the 10th-most efficient red zone team still turned third-down snaps there into first downs or touchdowns at a rate of 41% — nearly double what the Chiefs did. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 But both sides eventually cooled and competed in full-team sessions, a red zone period and a 2-minute drill. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for red zone

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red zone was in 1972

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Red zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20zone. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!