field goal

noun

1
: a score of three points in football made by drop-kicking or placekicking the ball over the crossbar from ordinary play
2
: a goal in basketball made while the ball is in play

Examples of field goal in a Sentence

He kicked a 20-yard field goal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Across his seven-year career, Ayton averaged 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks per game on a 59% field goal percentage. Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Whether another team will sign him before the preseason remains to be seen, not only because of his unavailability, due to his suspension, but also because the once-reliable Tucker made only 22 of his 30 field goal attempts last season, a 73.3% accuracy that was by far the worst of his career. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2025 In 2024, Tucker had a career-low season with a 73.3% field goal percentage, hitting 22 of 30 attempts. June 26, CBS News, 26 June 2025 His effective field goal percentage (66.9) and three-point efficiency (45.6 percent) also led the team. Kelly Iko, New York Times, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for field goal

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of field goal was in 1883

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Field goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20goal. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

field goal

noun
1
: a score of three points in football made by kicking the ball over the crossbar during ordinary play
2

More from Merriam-Webster on field goal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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