penalty area

noun

, Soccer.

1. the area, 44 yards (40 meters) wide and 18 yards (16 meters) deep, centered on the goal line and extending in front of the goal, where a foul by a defensive player results in a penalty kick for the offensive team.

penalty area

noun

1. soccer a rectangular area in front of the goal, within which the goalkeeper may handle the ball and within which a penalty is awarded for a foul by the defending team

Word History and Origins

Origin of penalty area¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

In an almost identical incident, defender Gabriel handled a pass from David Raya inside the penalty area - again not realising his keeper had taken the goal-kick and that the ball was in play.

From BBC

Martinez had tapped a goal-kick to Mings inside the penalty area but the former Ipswich defender simply picked the ball up.

From BBC

The 21-year-old Dane, another who never lacks for effort, won the penalty with his only touch in the penalty area, having had none in the box in the first half.

From BBC

Viktor Gyokeres has been a revelation for Amorim, scoring 41 goals in 42 league games with a mixture of targeted runs, pressing intensity, and power in the penalty area; three attributes Ten Hag used to describe Hojlund when he arrived at Old Trafford in August 2023.

From BBC

With Utah struggling to clear the ball out of its own penalty area, teenage defender Gisele Thompson was able to head a short pass forward for Leroux, who had her back to the goal at the top of the 18-yard box.

From Los Angeles Times