SportsAugust 27, 2026

hailmary

HAYL-mair-ee

Definition

In football, a very long, typically desperate pass thrown at the end of a game in the hope of scoring a touchdown.

Etymology

Derived from the 'Hail Mary' prayer in Roman Catholicism, the term was popularized in the 1970s to describe a 'miracle' play executed in desperation with little chance of success.

In the news

The coach refers to a specific 'hailmary' play that forced an opposing team into overtime, resulting in a narrow loss for his team last season.

Season preview: Northwest Texan football

Read the full article ↗

Wise County Messenger

Related words

blooped

To hit a baseball with a light, looping trajectory that falls just beyond the reach of…

Sports

condyle

A rounded protuberance at the end of a bone, forming an articulation with another bone.

Sports

livewire

A person who is full of energy, excitement, and unpredictability.

Sports

muzzleloader

A firearm that is loaded with powder and projectile through the muzzle, or the open end…

Sports

platooner

A baseball player who is primarily used in the lineup only against pitchers of a specific…

Sports

remonstrations

The act of expressing earnest opposition, protest, or forceful complaint.

Sports

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.