Pelé

American

[pey-ley, pey-ley] / 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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 1970, it saw Pelé lift the trophy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Never mind that the game itself didn’t quite live up to the standards set here by Pelé, Maradona, or Mexican teams past.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

But in the streets outside the historic stadium where soccer legends Pelé in 1970 and Diego Maradona in 1986 delivered iconic plays, other voices are rising as loud as the cheers.

From Los Angeles Times • 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