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

Next, Wyatt got a special teams boost when kicker Joshua Acevedo drilled a 41-yard field goal for the Chaparrals. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026

San Diego was stopped on fourth down after deciding against a field goal attempt that would have cut the score to 34-3. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Carolina forced a turnover on the opening kickoff, getting a fumble recovery, but only got a field goal out of it. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026

After fumbling the opening kickoff to set up a Panthers field goal and going three-and-out on their first series, the Packers (5-3) scored touchdowns on three of their next four possessions to take command. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 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