penalty kick

American  

[pen-l-tee kik] / ˈpɛn l ti ˌkɪk /

noun

Soccer.

penalty kicks plural

1. a free kick awarded for an infraction committed by a defensive player in the penalty area and taken by the offensive player who has been fouled from a point 12 yards (11 meters) directly in front of the goal. PK

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penalty kick British  

noun

1. soccer a free kick at the goal from a point ( penalty spot ) within the penalty area and 12 yards (about 11 m) from the goal, with only the goalkeeper allowed to defend it: awarded to the attacking team after a foul within the penalty area by a member of the defending team

2. rugby Union a kick awarded after a serious foul that can be aimed straight at the goal to score three points

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• penalty kicks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of penalty kick

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

penalty kick

Benn described their meeting as "such an honour" and he even got a chance to take a penalty kick against his sporting hero.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Roaming Spain’s right wing, Yamal caused enough problems for France that he drew a penalty kick in the 22nd minute.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

When Messi stands over the ball to take a penalty kick, he is only 12 yards out, with 196 square feet to aim at, and only the goalkeeper to beat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Mbappé scored the only goal of Saturday’s round-of-16 game on a penalty kick in the 70th minute.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

With twelve minutes to go, the Lightning drew within a goal, on a penalty kick.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John