field goal
Americannoun
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field goals
plural
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Football. a three-point goal made by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball between the opponent's goalposts above the crossbar.
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Basketball. a goal made while the ball is in play.
noun
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basketball a goal scored while the ball is in normal play rather than from a free throw
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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.
After forcing a Bills fumble, the Rams set up a game-winning field goal that Buffalo blocked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
And that set up what looked like a game-winning drive for Stafford—until the Rams’ field goal attempt was blocked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
Tyler Bass kicked a 45-yard field goal with 1:55 left in overtime, sending the Rams to a 37-34 loss before 73,882 at SoFi Stadium.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
“I’m in total disbelief my Commanders had such poor clock management in today’s overtime game against the Giants. All we had to do was kick the field goal and we would have won the game!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
“Because the Colts were in field goal position,” I mumble to my desk.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
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