penalty area

American  

noun

Soccer.

1. the area, 44 yards (40 meters) wide and 18 yards (16 meters) deep, centered on the goal line and extending in front of the goal, where a foul by a defensive player results in a penalty kick for the offensive team.

---

penalty area British  

noun

1. soccer a rectangular area in front of the goal, within which the goalkeeper may handle the ball and within which a penalty is awarded for a foul by the defending team

---

Etymology

Origin of penalty area

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

penalty area

His strike from the edge of the penalty area that flew beyond Emiliano Martinez sent the stadium into disbelief and brought Cape Verde level at 2-2 in extra time.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Croatia’s World Cup was seconds away from being over and Portugal was seconds away from the round of 16 when Ivan Perisic sent a long, desperate cross into the penalty area.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

Against Egypt, Argentina were handed the ideal chance to respond after Nicolas Tagliafico was brought down in the penalty area with the score at 1-0.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

Egypt also thought Mohamed Salah was fouled in the Argentina penalty area, seconds before the reigning champions broke for the stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

Gino can drive the ball harder than anyone I have ever seen, on a straight line, from outside the penalty area.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor