field goal
Americannoun
-
field goals
plural
-
Football. a three-point goal made by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball between the opponent's goalposts above the crossbar.
-
Basketball. a goal made while the ball is in play.
noun
-
basketball a goal scored while the ball is in normal play rather than from a free throw
-
American football a score of three points made by kicking the ball through the opponent's goalposts above the crossbar
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of field goal
First recorded in 1890–95
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.
Quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled a handoff to running back Omarion Hampton on the Chargers’ second play from scrimmage, leading to a Rams field goal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Despite penalties and a dropped pass, the Rams managed a field goal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
His longest reception went for 17 yards and helped set up a field goal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
At a camp, when he made a 54-yard field goal in a competition, that’s the moment he realized, “I can do this.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The thirty-six-yard gain sets Permian up for another field goal to cut the Marshall lead to one point.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
