Main Entry: foot·ball

Pronunciation: \ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯl\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

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: 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 d Australian : australian rules football e Canada : canadian football
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>

— foot·ball·er \-ˌbȯ-lər\ noun