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

Jovany Barragan’s second field goal — a 35-yarder on an untimed down — cut Serra’s deficit to 21-6 at halftime. — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

The Hornets, who currently rank last in field goal percentage and points per game, were looking forward to Knueppel’s return. — Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026

In Sunday’s loss to Arizona, the Cowboys gave up four consecutive touchdown drives in the second half to allow the Cardinals to force overtime before a game-winning field goal in the extra period. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026

Butker had made three extra points and a 45-yard field goal before pushing his final kick wide right. — Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for field goal

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

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

: basket sense 3b