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.
Instead, Georgia drove down the field and kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to seven points. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Eaton then reached the Trinity 28, lost three yards, and a 48-yard go-ahead field goal attempt fell just short with under a minute left. Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025 The Chiefs improved to 4-3 with their dominant 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Commanders fell to 3-3 when the Chicago Bears kicked a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025 Utah was 12 for 12 on 2-point field goals and added four 3-pointers in the first quarter. Oc Register, 23 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 29 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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