goalmouth

American  

[gohl-mouth] / ˈgoʊlˌmaʊθ /

noun

goalmouths plural

1. the area between the goalposts directly in front of the goal in certain games, as soccer, lacrosse, and hockey.

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goalmouth British  

/ ˈɡəʊlˌmaʊθ /

noun

1. sport the area in front of the goal

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• goalmouths
  plural

Etymology

Origin of goalmouth

First recorded in 1880–85; goal + mouth

Example Sentences

Last seven or eight games, obviously we're on a disastrous run but in terms of the performances and goalmouth action, shots on target, chances created, we've come out on top in every single game.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

Comoros only partially cleared a goalmouth scramble and when the ball was crossed low into the six-yard box, Kudus tapped it into the net from point-blank range.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

LAFC’s rebuilt midfield struggled to slow Minnesota’s speedy attackers in the early going but was bailed out when Kelvin Yeboah’s left-footed shot struck the right post and caromed across the goalmouth in the 13th minute.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2025

First, midfielder Exequiel Palacios was slow to sense danger in the 12th minute when a low ball came across the Leverkusen goalmouth toward the far post.

From Seattle Times • May 22, 2024

Not much in the way of goalmouth action in the opening stages at the Racecourse.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2024