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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of penalty area

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

penalty area

Konsa and Black Cats defender Dan Ballard were involved in a physical exchange inside the penalty area in which the Arsenal defender was adjudged to have fouled the Sunderland captain for excessive holding.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

Guimaraes stepped up with a goal of the season contender, a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Instead of dropping deep towards his own penalty area, Bellingham can now use his energy to press opponents higher up the pitch.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Holding, pushing, shoving, jostling and grappling inside the penalty area became something of an epidemic in the Premier League last season.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 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