soccer

noun

soc·​cer ˈsä-kər 

: a game played on a field between two teams of 11 players each with the object to propel a round ball into the opponent's goal by kicking or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms

called also association football, football

Examples of soccer in a Sentence

Both of their children play soccer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Next week, Sacramento city leaders will discuss keeping the number of homeless shelters at current levels in the River District, which is located between the American River and the downtown Railyards, where a new soccer stadium is being built. —James Taylor, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

The dedication to craft is not surprising in an athletic family where Izzy’s mom, Abby Johnston, played soccer at Arizona State. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026

The win Wednesday makes Servite 2-0 in the Trinity League, which like in many sports is an elite league in boys soccer. —Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Former Metea Valley soccer star Nicki Hernandez has never been afraid of adventure. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration from association football

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soccer

• soccer mom
• table soccer

Rhymes for soccer

• blocker
• chalker
• cocker
• docker
• hawker
• hocker
• knocker
• locker
• mocker
• ocher
• rocker
• shocker

Kids Definition

soccer

noun

soc·​cer ˈsäk-ər 

: a football game with 11 players on a side in which a round ball is advanced by kicking it or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms

Etymology

by shortening and alteration of association football

Word Origin

Soccer is the world's most popular sport. In most countries, however, its name is not soccer but football. In England, where the modern game started, it is usually called either football or association football. The latter name comes from the fact that the rules of the game were standardized when the Football Association was founded in England in 1863. The word soccer comes from the last three letters of the abbreviation assoc., which stands for "association." Although the word soccer was first used in England, the only countries where it is now the usual name for the sport are the U.S. and Canada.