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

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

The 25-year-old also provided one assist and did well creating space for the wingers to cut into the penalty area.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

The touch maps back this up – Haaland having many fewer and more concentrated in the opposing penalty area with Kane involved across the pitch.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

In the Argentina penalty area, Salah went down claiming he had been tripped by Julian Alvarez.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 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