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

Kovacs was also criticised by Barca after he and video assistant referee Christian Dingert allowed play to continue when Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball in his own penalty area.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

One of my favourite moments of the season came last week, watching Arsenal's Max Dowman break forward from his own penalty area to score a goal that sealed his side's Premier League win over Everton.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

"Kavanagh took his time and used all his experience to rightly ascertain that contact continued inside the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick," he added.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

He raced into the Newcastle penalty area and when Dan Burn made a last-ditch tackle, the ball bounced off the Egypt forward and looped into the net.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

A Kinnow defender took Maya down in the penalty area, and he blew the whistle right away.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor