free kick

American  

noun

Soccer.

1. an unhindered kick of a stationary ball, usually awarded to a player as the result of a foul committed by a player from the opposing team.

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free kick British  

noun

1. soccer a place kick awarded for a foul or infringement, either direct, from which a goal may be scored, or indirect, from which the ball must be touched by at least one other player for a goal to be allowed

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Etymology

Origin of free kick

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

In the 17th minute, Portugal had won a free kick on the edge of the box, and the entire stadium was certain of what would happen next.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026

Rising out of the ground directly in front of the goal, the Meat Wall is the name given to the cluster of bodies that forms inside the six-yard box at every corner or free kick.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

He had already scored twice from the penalty spot and once with a free kick.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

But Mickey Thomas sent a 25-yard free kick past David Seaman before Steve Watkin's strike earned victory for Wrexham just two minutes later.

From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025

We had a free kick coming from the spot where the foul took place.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor