Australian Rules

British

noun

Also called: national code. (functioning as singular) a game resembling rugby football, played in Australia between teams of 18 men each on an oval pitch, with a ball resembling a large rugby ball. Players attempt to kick the ball between posts (without crossbars) at either end of the pitch, scoring six points for a goal (between the two main posts) and one point for a behind (between either of two outer posts and the main posts). They may punch or kick the ball and run with it provided that they bounce it every ten yards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rugby and Australian Rules are potentially good sources of talent like Welsh rugby union star Louis Rees-Zammit, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a returner/running back/wide receiver.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2024

The Australian Rules football competition draws the biggest fan attendances of any sport nationally.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2024

As a result, Adam Gotsis, a defensive tackle with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the only non-kicker to make the jump from Australian Rules to the NFL.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2023

It’s within walking distance of the city along the Yarra River and from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, venue for the 1956 Olympics and spiritual home of Australian Rules football.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2023

Football in Australia boasts unrivalled participation by girls, boys and adults, but at an elite level it lags behind the rugby codes, Australian Rules football and cricket.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023