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

The 49ers recovered, kicked a field goal and the Rams’ last real chance for a comeback was snuffed out. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Seattle had to eventually settle for a 30-yard field goal by Jason Myers. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026

That led to a go-ahead field goal and set the stage for the late drive that started with promise but ended on a giveaway on a pass Maye threw off his back foot. — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

The Patriots quickly added a field goal to extend the lead as the second half got underway. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 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