foul line
Americannoun
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Baseball. either of the two lines connecting home plate with first and third base respectively, or their continuations to the end of the outfield.
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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.
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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.
Etymology
Origin of foul line
An Americanism dating back to 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He will beat you in the paint, on the foul line, behind the arc, and in the fourth quarter, if necessary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
Beal shot 50% from the floor, 39% from 3-point range and 80% from the foul line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2025
Bryce Cofield added 14 points for the Trailblazers and Hudson Mayes scored 19 for Redondo, which finished 14 for 15 at the foul line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2025
The Yankees tried to hit straight back as Gleyber Torres lifted a fly ball down the right-field foul line.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2024
“You have to take it behind the foul line after each shot, Dad.”
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
