soccer

British, association football

[sok-er]

noun

1. a form of football played between two teams of 11 players, in which the ball may be advanced by kicking or by bouncing it off any part of the body but the arms and hands, except in the case of the goalkeepers, who may use their hands to catch, carry, throw, or stop the ball.

soccer

/ ˈsɒkə /

noun

1. Also called: Association Football. 

   1. a game in which two teams of eleven players try to kick or head a ball into their opponent's goal, only the goalkeeper on either side being allowed to touch the ball with his hands and arms except in the case of throw-ins

   2. ( as modifier )

      a soccer player

Word History and Origins

Origin of soccer¹

First recorded in 1890–95; (As)soc(iation football) + -er ⁷

Word History and Origins

Origin of soccer¹

C19: from ( as ) soc. + -er

Example Sentences

“I played every sport growing up — soccer, football, basketball, golf, tennis, rugby, swimming,” he said.

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He was a soccer player until he had a growth spurt, participated in a basketball camp and was spotted playing in Togo, a country bordering Ghana.

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Previously a keen soccer and Gaelic footballer, it took him several years to build up the strength and confidence to get back into competitive sports.

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But even if the installed grass meets international standards, the world’s top soccer professionals are able to detect subtle changes.

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All over Europe this week, soccer players from the biggest clubs in the game began ambling back to work ahead of the new season.

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