football

noun

foot·​ball ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯl How to pronounce football (audio)
1
: any of several games played between two teams on a usually rectangular field having goalposts or goals at each end and whose object is to get the ball over a goal line, into a goal, or between goalposts by running, passing, or kicking: such as
a
British : soccer
b
British : rugby
c
: an American game played between two teams of 11 players each in which the ball is in possession of one side at a time and is advanced by running or passing
e
2
a
: an inflated oval ball used in the game of football
b
British : a soccer ball
3
: something treated roughly especially as the subject of a prolonged dispute
the issue became a political football in Congress
footballer noun

Did you know?

The game of US football evolved in the 19th century as a combination of rugby and soccer. The first intercollegiate match was played in 1869 between Princeton University and Rutgers College. In 1873, the first collegiate rules were standardized and the Ivy League was formed. Collegiate football grew into one of the most popular American sports. Professional football began in the 1890s, but did not become a major sport until after World War II. The National Football League (NFL) was formed (from an earlier association) in 1922; in 1966 it subsumed the rival American Football League (created in 1959). The NFL is now divided into an American and a National conference; the conference winners compete for the Super Bowl championship. A Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio.

Examples of football in a Sentence

He played a lot of football in high school and college.
Recent Examples on the Web Typically seven people are aboard as the football field-sized station circles the earth at five miles per second. Russell Lewis, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, was in Philadelphia, which is where his brother, Jason Kelce, lives with his family and plays football, over the weekend. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 Law enforcement found an adult victim with gunshot wounds at the entrance to the football field. Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 The fire grew explosively, engulfing up to 150 football fields of land every minute in the first few days. Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 Hurricanes fans should be mighty happy that 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year Rueben Bain plays football — not baseball. Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2024 The party was for the victim’s teammate, Davis Stone, who secured a scholarship to play football at Abilene Christian University in Texas, and was leaving Rocklin. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 The 30-second ad starred Wahlberg encouraging football fans to pray during Lent. Butker has worked with Hallow for at least a couple of years now, one of several athletes who lead listeners in prayer on the app. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2024 The protests once again highlighted the power of the fans in German football. Manuel Veth, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'football.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of football was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near football

Cite this Entry

“Football.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/football. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

football

noun
foot·​ball ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯl How to pronounce football (audio)
1
: any of several games in which two teams try to advance a ball to the goals at each end of a large rectangular field: as
a
British : soccer
b
British : rugby
c
: an American game played between two teams of 11 players each in which the ball is advanced by running or passing
2
: the ball used in football

More from Merriam-Webster on football

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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