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

Then, nine minutes into the second half, Bale played a raking long ball to Ramsey, who found Robson-Kanu in the penalty area.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

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

Had just two touches in Spain's penalty area in the first half and struggled to cause much of a threat.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 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

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