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

The winds of change are sweeping across the Santa Ana College campus, from the parking lots to the Central Mall to the football field and beyond. —Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026

As a former quarterback with confidence, swagger and an encyclopedic memory of football, he is built for this. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026

With spring football practice approaching, reporters met with USC’s staff to talk about the Trojans. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

But, by the letter of the league’s law, because Cunningham is not identified as Atlanta’s primary football executive — a distinction given to new Falcons president of football Matt Ryan — the Bears aren’t in line to get those picks. —Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for football

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

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