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

But Goodell pointed out that the rule "is not a hiring mandate," and that it has been adopted in industries "far beyond football, far beyond the United States" to hire "bring in better talent."

From Barron's

Junior Zion Phelps, in his first season running track for Loyola and a defensive back and receiver in football, is the king of the 100 meters vs.

From Los Angeles Times

Team owners on Tuesday approved a related measure allowing league headquarters to intervene on potential disqualifications for flagrant football or non-football acts, even if they aren’t called on the field.

From Los Angeles Times

A Rio de Janeiro court has overturned a fine of more than $3 million against football star Neymar for allegedly damaging the environment by building an artificial lake at his mansion.

From Barron's

After returning to Houston, he became a high-school football star, and in 1955 he moved to Los Angeles to study at its City College.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• soccer