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
He swished the first of two attempts at the foul line, then calmly hit the second to end the first-to-25 points finale.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 14, 2026
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 ● Feb. 19, 2025
The misses at the foul line, though, kept the Magic alive, and Wagner, in the midst of a breakout season, hit the biggest shot to silence Crypto.com Arena.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2024
He went to the side of the court and dragged a lawn chair over to the foul line.
From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman
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.
