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.
If that comes down just a little bit, that will result in more field goal chances for McLaughlin. Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The 23-year-old was on pace for career bests in points, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and rebounds. Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 18 June 2025 Andrew Nembhard is second with seven points on 3-for-6 field goal attempts, 0-for-1 3-point attempts, and 1-for-1 free attempts, with three rebounds and three assists. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025 Haliburton missed his only six field goal attempts of the night. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 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 24 Jun. 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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