soccer

American  

[sok-er] / ˈsɒk ər /

British, association football

noun

1. a form of football played between two teams of 11 players, in which the ball may be advanced by kicking or by bouncing it off any part of the body but the arms and hands, except in the case of the goalkeepers, who may use their hands to catch, carry, throw, or stop the ball.

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soccer British  

/ ˈsɒkə /

noun

1. Also called: Association Football. 

   1. a game in which two teams of eleven players try to kick or head a ball into their opponent's goal, only the goalkeeper on either side being allowed to touch the ball with his hands and arms except in the case of throw-ins

   2. ( as modifier )

      a soccer player

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Etymology

Origin of soccer

First recorded in 1890–95; (As)soc(iation football) + -er ⁷

Compare meaning

How does soccer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Rugby vs. soccer

Explanation

Soccer is a sport that's played with a round black and white ball that players pass to each other using their feet. To win a soccer match, your side has to kick the ball into the goal more times than your rivals do. Go team! In most parts of the world, soccer is known as football, which makes sense since players (except the goalie) can't touch the ball with their hands — they mainly control and move it with their feet. In the U.S., however, football is a completely different sport, one that's known as American football everywhere else,. Soccer comes from socca, slang for Assoc., which is a shortened version of Association football.

Example Sentences

Liverpool, too, claimed a pair of titles with a brand of high-octane soccer designed to blow past opponents and leave them in a cloud of red dust.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

When Pep Guardiola first arrived in English soccer, his résumé hardly seemed to matter to his new hosts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Red card, consolation pizza for USA soccer fans.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Paintsil’s academy is part of a long tradition of African soccer players generously giving back to the communities that produced them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Imagine a homecoming football game taking place on the same day as the lacrosse, soccer, baseball, tennis, and cross-country championships.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein