foul line
Baseball. either of the two lines connecting home plate with first and third base respectively, or their continuations to the end of the outfield.
Also called free throw line. Basketball. a line on the court 15 feet (4.6 meters) from the backboard, from which foul shots are taken.
Bowling. a line on an alley at right angles to the gutters and 60 feet (18.3 meters) from the center of the spot for the headpin, across which a bowler may not step for fair delivery of the ball.
Origin of foul line
1Words Nearby foul line
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use foul line in a sentence
No team sent its opponents to the foul line less, as a share of field-goal attempts, than the Bucks.
The Bucks-Hawks Series Could Come Down To One Area Of The Court | Jared Dubin | June 23, 2021 | FiveThirtyEightBeal led the team with 14 points in the second half but more importantly did what he couldn’t on Tuesday by getting to the foul line.
Wizards are half-good, and it’s not enough to prevent another loss | Ava Wallace | March 26, 2021 | Washington PostThe guard shot 6 for 22 from the field and went 8 for 8 from the foul line.
Wizards come out flat to start NBA’s second half, fall on road to Grizzlies | Ava Wallace | March 11, 2021 | Washington PostNorth Carolina State also succeeded where most opponents have failed against the Cavaliers, making 23 of 28 at the foul line, doubling Virginia’s total free throw attempts.
Virginia, suddenly reeling, drops its third straight, this time at home to N.C. State | Gene Wang | February 25, 2021 | Washington PostThe great Red Auerbach once said if a teammate went anywhere near a free throw shooter — especially after a make — or if one of his players left the foul line to slap someone’s hand, he would .
Nine problems with college basketball on TV — and how to fix them | John Feinstein | February 3, 2021 | Washington Post
After all, the Thunder shot 15 of 24 from the foul line, a chicken-breast-thawing-on-the-counter clip of 62.5 percent.
Youth Dooms OKC Thunder to Game 3 Loss vs. Miami Heat in NBA Finals | Jesse Singal | June 18, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe other team is at the foul line with no time left on the clock.
It was a mighty clout, but when it came down it was just about six inches on the wrong side of the foul line.
Baseball Joe, Captain of the Team | Lester ChadwickThe ball fairly whistled as it left the bat and dashed along the ground just inside the right foul line.
Bert Wilson's Fadeaway Ball | J. W. DuffieldA white chalk line, evidently a foul line marker had been drawn on the alley floor.
Dan Carter and the Cub Honor | Mildred A. WirtIt looked as though the ball would roll over the foul line, and Willis waited too long.
Baseball Joe, Home Run King | Lester ChadwickIt was a nice point; for on occasion a goal thrown from the foul line counts one.
The Girls of Central High at Basketball | Gertrude W. Morrison
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