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

Max Pomeroy returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards to midfield, but the Argyle drive stalled at the five-yard line and Preston Edwards came on to boot a 22-yard field goal to up the lead to 45-35. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Chicago extinguished New England's last-minute comeback bid courtesy of exceptional clock management by coach Johnson and a nail-in-the-coffin, career-best 58-yard field goal from Cairo Santos. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

The Chiefs actually missed a 43-yard field goal that would have won the game in regulation — after Justin Houston forced Lamar Jackson to fumble — but won the game with a short kick in overtime. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

The Jets eventually released him after Sanders missed a 54-yard field goal in a preseason game against the Giants, then brought him back to the practice squad. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 22 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