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

"We'll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all together, is part of football."

From BBC

In 1992, his son Daniel died aged 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with Yorath.

From Barron's

"I had no plans on playing football. I was a soccer player through and through," Little tells BBC Sport.

From BBC

In 1992, Daniel died aged 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with his father.

From BBC

Many Huskies football players and coaches also were in attendance when Williams posted his official announcement about entering the transfer portal on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• soccer