football

noun

foot·​ball ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯl 

1

: any of several games played between two teams on a usually rectangular field having goalposts or goals at each end and whose object is to get the ball over a goal line, into a goal, or between goalposts by running, passing, or kicking: such as

a

British : soccer

b

British : rugby

c

: an American game played between two teams of 11 players each in which the ball is in possession of one side at a time and is advanced by running or passing

d

Australia : australian rules football

e

Canada : canadian football

2

a

: an inflated oval ball used in the game of football

b

British : a soccer ball

3

: something treated roughly especially as the subject of a prolonged dispute

the issue became a political football in Congress

footballer

ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯ-lər 

noun

Did you know?

The game of US football evolved in the 19th century as a combination of rugby and soccer. The first intercollegiate match was played in 1869 between Princeton University and Rutgers College. In 1873, the first collegiate rules were standardized and the Ivy League was formed. Collegiate football grew into one of the most popular American sports. Professional football began in the 1890s, but did not become a major sport until after World War II. The National Football League (NFL) was formed (from an earlier association) in 1922; in 1966 it subsumed the rival American Football League (created in 1959). The NFL is now divided into an American and a National conference; the conference winners compete for the Super Bowl championship. A Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio.

Examples of football in a Sentence

He played a lot of football in high school and college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mayo not only will have support from family members who live close to KU’s campus, but also lifelong buddies Devin Neal and Cole Mondi, fellow Lawrence High grads who play for the Jayhawk football team. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024

Also like Williams, Maye emptied his toolbox in an attempt to prop up a bad football team last season. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024

Wake Forest opened spring football drills with a two-man battle for the starting quarterback position. —Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2024

For a few hours, UCLA football was once again a player in a sports landscape that had practically abandoned it. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

The will was signed by the former football player on Jan. 24, per the Eighth Judicial Court Portal's website. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024

The Boise State football team will wrap up practice Saturday with its annual spring game at Albertsons Stadium. —Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024

But at North, the school resource officer was also the head coach of the football team — and still is. —Meg Anderson, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024

Cheerleading has one of the highest concussion rates of all sports, right after football. —EW.com, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing football

• American football
• arena football
• association football
• Australian Rules football
• Canadian football
• fantasy football/baseball/basketball
• flag football
• football/golf widow
• football scholarship
• political football
• table football
• touch football

Kids Definition

football

noun

foot·​ball ˈfu̇t-ˌbȯl 

1

: any of several games in which two teams try to advance a ball to the goals at each end of a large rectangular field: as

a

British : soccer

b

British : rugby

c

: an American game played between two teams of 11 players each in which the ball is advanced by running or passing

2

: the ball used in football