Pelé

American

[pay-lay, pay-lay] / peɪˈleɪ, ˈpeɪ leɪ /

noun

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, 1940–2022, Brazilian soccer player, generally regarded as preeminent in the sport.

Pelé British

/ ˈpɛleɪ /

noun

real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento. born 1940, Brazilian footballer: scored 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil (1957–71) and was in the teams that won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970; awarded an honorary knighthood in 1997

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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Pelé

In a tribute to the stadium’s soccer history, Loop ran to the corner of the field and performed Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration before teammates hoisted him on their shoulders as if he were Pelé.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

He was the kid with lightning in his boots matching records set by Pelé.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

There is no more iconic stadium at this tournament than Mexico’s hulking Estadio Azteca, which has hosted Pelé, Maradona and generations of terrified American players.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

One of Roberto Ruano Ortega’s most vivid memories with his father was watching Pelé at the 1970 World Cup from the stands of Azteca Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

I was the one who wanted to marry Pelé.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023