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

But years later, some of the highest-flying professional clubs have folded due to financial mismanagement, and dozens of soccer officials have been banned or imprisoned, and numerous teams ensnared in an anti-graft campaign. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

And then there was the final, a dizzying spectacle without precedent in soccer. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026

George is also an avid fan, joining Prince William for Aston Villa soccer games and popping up with his family at Wimbledon — where breakout tennis star Arthur Fery recently offered to hit around with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

The 34-year-old soccer superstar is currently the most popular and beloved cultural icon in his home country, surpassing other global stars like BTS and Bong Joon-ho in the eyes of most Koreans. — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 21 July 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.