foul line

American  

noun

1. Baseball.  either of the two lines connecting home plate with first and third base respectively, or their continuations to the end of the outfield.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of foul line

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

Third baseman Max Muncy sailed a ball wide to first base after collecting a ground ball near the foul line, enabling Davis to advance to second.

From Los Angeles Times

During the offseason, construction crews gutted the bowels of Dodger Stadium, digging deep trenches down the left and right field foul lines to build new, expanded clubhouse areas.

From Los Angeles Times

Imagine the reaction of the 10,507 fans who packed the lower-bowl seats behind home plate and the two foul lines at the Tokyo Dome.

From Los Angeles Times

Agee tallied 12 first-half points, largely from the foul line, then made his own three for good measure just before halftime.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bruins missed 10 of 15 attempts from the foul line in the second half, including the front end of two one-and-one situations and two Eric Dailey Jr. free throws with 17 seconds left.

From Los Angeles Times