football

American  

[foot-bawl] / ˈfʊtˌbɔl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

football British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• footballer noun

Etymology

Origin of football

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

Example Sentences

Jonny's prediction: Manchester United blow hot and cold - they are capable of playing some really nice football but I don't know where their goals will come from without Bryan Mbeumo or Bruno Fernandes.

From BBC

In a GQ cover story this summer,, external Kelce said his football "might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up".

From BBC

For football fans in the UK an ethics bonus might sound a little strange, but in France it is a normal part of a professional athlete's contract.

From BBC

It will, in all likelihood, be March by the time Isak can play football again.

From BBC

It leaves the Dolphins to reckon with the fallout from the most costly mistake in modern football: spending a fortune on a quarterback only to realize that he isn’t actually the answer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• soccer