foul line

noun

1
: either of two straight lines extending from the rear corner of home plate through the outer corners of first and third base respectively and prolonged to the boundary of a baseball field
2
: a line across a bowling alley that a player must not step over when delivering the ball
3
: either of two lines on a basketball court parallel to and 15 feet from the backboards behind which a player must stand while shooting a free throw

Examples of foul line in a Sentence

The ball landed just inside the right-field foul line.
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.
Al Bello—Getty Images Hart caught a break when Wemby, usually so silky at the foul line, missed a pair. Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026 Leiter drove for a tying layup seven seconds later before Engstler won it at the foul line. ABC News, 13 June 2026 His nose for the foul line is second to none. Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 12 June 2026 In the fifth inning, left fielder Bella Perez made a diving catch near the foul line on a drive by Mater Dei slugger Tulutululelei Salue. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for foul line

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foul line was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20line. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

foul line

noun
1
: either of two straight lines running from the rear corner of home plate through first and third base on to the boundary of a baseball field
2
: a line across which a player must not step (as when bowling or shooting a free throw)
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