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

Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui, starting at right-back with Hakimi not yet quite fully fit, picked up the ball on the right side of the penalty area and squared for Real Madrid's Spanish-born number 10 Diaz to score.

From Barron's

The 40-year-old rose in the middle of the penalty area to meet Nawaf Boushal's right-wing cross in the sixth minute of stoppage time at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.

From BBC

Kane's own current hunger was exemplified in one second-half moment when, after spending time dropping deep, he appeared on the edge of England's penalty area to regain possession with a crunching tackle.

From BBC

With Portugal trailing 2-0 to Troy Parrott's first-half double, Ronaldo clashed with Dara O'Shea in the Irish penalty area.

From BBC

As the ball's coming across the penalty area, the Manchester City players move out, they leave Robertson in that offside position in the heart of the six-yard box.

From BBC