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face-off

[ feys-awf, -of ]

/ ˈfeɪsˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR face-off ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Ice Hockey.

the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.

an open confrontation.

Origin of face-off

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off

Words nearby face-off

face-centered, face-centred, face-harden, face-lift, face-nail, face-off, face-plant, face-saver, face-saving, face-to-face, facebar

Example sentences from the Web for face-off

Graham won his last race by 15 points, but Stamper is not certain to face-off against him.

Prankster or Politician? Jay Stamper Says His S.C. Senate Bid Is Real |David Freedlander |October 29, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
This is the face-off that has so far stymied a first step toward resolving the crisis.

What Obama and Rouhani Want From Geneva |Michael Adler |October 15, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
But it landed her in a cauldron of controversy at the face-off at Hofstra University.

Candy Crowley Injects Herself Into the Presidential Debate |Lauren Ashburn |October 17, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
This week: a face-off between Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Sandler.

Movie Review: Adam Sandler's 'Jack and Jill' Is the Worst Movie Ever Made |Ramin Setoodeh |November 11, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

Romney had a strong night at the CNBC face-off, while Cain escaped grilling on sexual harassment and Perry had a brain freeze.

Herman Cain Skates, Rick Perry Flubs at CNBC Presidential Debate |Howard Kurtz |November 10, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for face-off

face-off

noun

ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players

a confrontation

verb face off (adverb)

to start play by (a face-off)