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
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.
Late in the first half, Edison attempted a 41-yard field goal looking to extend a 16-14 advantage. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025 Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns – one apiece to Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Noah Fant – as well as orchestrating a field goal drive in the final minutes which would turn out to be the decisive score. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 However, the Bengals had enough time for Flacco to lead a decisive drive, setting up a 36-yard field goal from kicker Evan McPherson to take a 33-31 lead and secure a crucial AFC North divisional victory. Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 McPherson’s kick was his fourth field goal of the night and came at the end of an eight-play, 52-yard drive led by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for field goal

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of field goal was in 1883

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Field goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20goal. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on field goal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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