foosball

American  

[fooz-bawl] / ˈfuz bɔl /

noun

1. a tabletop game resembling soccer, in which each of two players tries to shoot a small ball into the opponent’s goal by operating rods that extend crosswise and out through the sides of the table and have miniature playing figures attached.

---

foosball British  

/ ˈfuːsˌbɔːl /

noun

1. Also called (esp in Britain): table football.  a game, often played in bars, in which opponents on either side of a purpose-built table attempt to strike a ball into the other side's goal by moving horizontal bars to which miniatures of footballers are attached

---

Etymology

Origin of foosball

First recorded in 1960–65; from German Fußball, Fussball, equivalent to Fuß, Fuss foot ( def. ) + Ball ball ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

There is also a second lounge space, which doubles as an entertaining center, and it comes with a cozy fireplace, a foosball table, and access to the patio.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026

The utilities were still out, and a fine layer of ash coated the floor, the orange benches, the foosball table.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2025

Let's say your next-door neighbors are playing foosball in the middle of the night.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2024

She and her husband, Mike Christie, noted their children, including a 7-year-old son happily playing foosball after Mass in a big side room where coffee was served, loved coming to St. Bridget.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2023

A cheer and a groan erupt from the foosball crowd, while at the same time Zara yells at me, waving me over from the kitchen.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam