goal line

American  

noun

Sports.

goal lines plural

1. the line that bounds a goal, especially the front line.

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goal line British  

noun

1. sport the line marking each end of the pitch, on which the goals stand

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• goal lines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of goal line

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

goal line

The only rule is kickers can’t step in front of the goal line until the ball is struck.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

But instead it bounced off Maradona and crossed the goal line.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

The brace was the first of Balogun’s international career and came in his World Cup debut before a crowd of family and friends, a cheering section he saluted from behind the goal line after scoring.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

Mendoza slalomed past a lineman, trucked through a linebacker and launched himself Superman-style, extending the ball over the goal line just as two more Miami defenders crashed into his ribs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026

While he’s buried in a pile of bodies, I’m crossing the goal line.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli