football

[ foot-bawl ]

noun

1. a game in which two opposing teams of 11 players each defend goals at opposite ends of a field having goal posts at each end, with points being scored chiefly by carrying the ball across the opponent's goal line and by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball over the crossbar between the opponent's goal posts. Compare conversion ( def 13 ), field goal ( def 1 ), safety ( def 6 ), touchdown.
2. the ball used in this game, an inflated oval with a bladder contained in a casing usually made of leather.
3. Chiefly British. Rugby ( def 1 ).
4. Chiefly British. soccer.
5. something sold at a reduced or special price.
6. any person or thing treated roughly or tossed about:

   They're making a political football of this issue.

7. (initial capital letter) U.S. Government Slang. a briefcase containing the codes and options the president would use to launch a nuclear attack, carried by a military aide and kept available to the president at all times.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to offer for sale at a reduced or special price.

football

/ ˈfʊtˌbɔːl /

noun

1. 1. any of various games played with a round or oval ball and usually based on two teams competing to kick, head, carry, or otherwise propel the ball into each other's goal, territory, etc See association football rugby Australian Rules American football Gaelic football
   2. ( as modifier )

      a football ground

      a football supporter

2. the ball used in any of these games or their variants
3. a problem, issue, etc, that is continually passed from one group or person to another and treated as a pretext for argument instead of being resolved

   he accused the government of using the strike as a political football

Derived Forms

• ˈfootˌballer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of football¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, football is from Middle English fut ball. See foot, ball ¹

Example Sentences

Top-level club football has had to stop for international breaks in September, October and November, but the next one is not until March now.

From BBC

Ms Allen-Wyatt is seen as an influential figure in Welsh women's football and has regularly spoken about her wish to inspire younger players.

From BBC

A look at this week’s top high school football semifinal playoff games:

From Los Angeles Times

Lenard Sr. coached all three of his sons in youth football and knew they had talent.

From Los Angeles Times

Prep football: Palmer leads Eagles to Division V title with 55-42 victory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• soccer