place kick

¹ American  

noun

Football.

1. a kick in which the ball is held nearly upright on the ground either by means of a tee or by a teammate, as in a kickoff, an attempt at a field goal, etc.

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place-kick ² American  

[pleys-kik] / ˈpleɪsˌkɪk /

Or placekick

verb (used with object)

1. to make (a field goal or point after touchdown) by a place kick.

2. to kick (the ball) as held for a place kick.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a place kick.

place kick British  

noun

1. a kick in which the ball is placed in position before it is kicked

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verb

1. to kick (a ball) using a place kick

Other Word Forms

• place-kicker noun
• placekicker noun

Etymology

Origin of place kick¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of place-kick²

First recorded in 1855–60; v. use of place kick

Example Sentences

The most famous place kick in Five Nations history was undoubtedly John Taylor's last-minute touchline effort for Wales to win a pulsating match against Scotland 19-18 at Murrayfield in 1971.

From The Guardian • Feb. 18, 2011

Dartmouth had scored 16 points on two touchdowns and a place kick.

From Time Magazine Archive

A field judge disallowed a place kick goal by Army because the player holding the ball had let both knees touch the ground.

From Time Magazine Archive

Instead of the standard place kick, a scoring pass was flipped to No. 99.

From Time Magazine Archive

Burton came racing out to Judd who had picked out the spot where he was to attempt the place kick.

From Over the Line by Sherman, Harold Morrow