field goal

American  

noun

• field goals
  plural

1. Football. a three-point goal made by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball between the opponent's goalposts above the crossbar.

2. Basketball. a goal made while the ball is in play.

---

field goal British  

noun

1. basketball a goal scored while the ball is in normal play rather than from a free throw

2. 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

• field goals
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of field goal

First recorded in 1890–95

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

field goal

Just a few minutes later, a Buffalo field goal sealed a 37-34 victory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The Bills got the ball first in overtime, and appeared on their way to a field goal or touchdown when Khalil Shakir gained 57 yards on a catch-and-run to the Rams’ 22.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

The Giants scored two late touchdowns to force overtime but, when within range of a winning field goal, they ran the ball with Cam Skattebo, who fumbled to lose possession.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

“I’m in total disbelief my Commanders had such poor clock management,” Magic Johnson posted on X. “All we had to do was kick the field goal and we would have won the game!”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

But the Permian drive sputtered and it was time for Wyles to agonize his way through another field goal, this one from the 30 instead of the 31.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• basket

---