football

[foot-bawl]

noun

1. a game in which two opposing teams of 11 players each defend goals at opposite ends of a field having goal posts at each end, with points being scored chiefly by carrying the ball across the opponent's goal line and by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball over the crossbar between the opponent's goal posts.

2. the ball used in this game, an inflated oval with a bladder contained in a casing usually made of leather.

3. Chiefly British.,  Rugby.

4. Chiefly British.,  soccer.

5. something sold at a reduced or special price.

6. any person or thing treated roughly or tossed about.

   They're making a political football of this issue.

7. (initial capital letter),  a briefcase containing the codes and options the president would use to launch a nuclear attack, carried by a military aide and kept available to the president at all times.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal.,  to offer for sale at a reduced or special price.

football

/ ˈfʊtˌbɔːl /

noun

1. 1. any of various games played with a round or oval ball and usually based on two teams competing to kick, head, carry, or otherwise propel the ball into each other's goal, territory, etc See association football rugby Australian Rules American football Gaelic football

   2. ( as modifier )

      a football ground

      a football supporter

2. the ball used in any of these games or their variants

3. a problem, issue, etc, that is continually passed from one group or person to another and treated as a pretext for argument instead of being resolved

   he accused the government of using the strike as a political football

Other Word Forms

• footballer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of football¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, football is from Middle English fut ball. See foot, ball ¹

Example Sentences

Recently, a local high school held a military-appreciation night where football players wore West Virginia Army National Guard jerseys.

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Since football returned after Covid, there has been general concern about declining standards of supporter behaviour.

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The Spanish football giant Barcelona has told fans it has "no connection whatsoever" with the digital coin offered by its new crypto partner, following criticism over the deal.

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Leeds had the players who, at that level, played expansive and winning football and Farke's philosophy and all-round demeanour won him many fans, not just at Leeds but in football in general.

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His injury turned out to be a burst blood vessel, which meant the promising football player had to spend two months out of training, resting his leg and regularly applying ice until it healed.

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Related Words

• soccer